Council this Week: Highlights from the July 9 County Council agenda - 20250704
Road safety measures in Zorra and Blandford-Blenheim, recycling legislation and more
Please note: the Oxford County Administration Building will temporarily open to hold this meeting in person in the Council Chamber beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
To download the full agenda or view past recordings of council meetings, visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/council. To watch the County Council meeting live, visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/livestream
Road safety measures in Zorra and Blandford-Blenheim
A road safety audit for the Oxford Road 28 and Oxford Road 6 intersection in Zorra Township has resulted in recommendations for an all-way stop; road design features to help reduce vehicle speeds on Oxford Road 6; enhanced signage; and improved sight lines through road regrading, relocating light poles, and cutting back trees and vegetation. The safety audit marked Oxford County’s first use of the Good Roads Rural Road Safety Audit Guidelines to more broadly consider rural road safety. A report to County Council on standardizing the use of these guidelines in addition to the Ontario Traffic Manual is expected later in 2025.
County Council will also receive a report on July 9 to propose a temporary all-way stop by the County of Brant at Oxford Road 36/Brant Oxford Road and Keg Lane in Blandford-Blenheim during reconstruction work in downtown Paris, which is impacting traffic on Oxford Road 36. The temporary all-way stop is anticipated to be replaced with traffic signals in a later phase of construction.
PW 2025-42 – Oxford Road 28 and Oxford Road 6 Intersection Review
PW2025-43 – Temporary All-way Stop at Oxford Road 36/Brant Oxford Road and Keg Lane
Proposed amendments to recycling legislation
Oxford County Council will hear staff comments on proposed amendments to the Blue Box Regulation and the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy (RRCE) Act, 2016, next council meeting. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is seeking public feedback on the proposed changes, which include potential delays and reductions to recycling targets; removing planned program expansion to multi-residential, public spaces and other types of buildings; and allowing energy recovery (incineration, renewable fuels) to make up a percentage of waste diversion targets.
It is under the RRCE legislation that blue box recycling collection for Oxford County and all Ontario municipalities will be fully transferred to a new province-wide program by January 1, 2026. In December 2024, County Council approved a recycling collection program for groups excluded from the new program, such as small businesses, although one of the proposed changes to the legislation would require the offer of service to this sector in each municipality.
Other reports and presentations
- Public meeting and CP 2025-195: Application for Official Plan Amendment OP 25-07-2 - 2274581 Ontario Inc.
- PW 2025-40: Contract Award – Wonham Street South Rail Crossing (Watermain Replacement), Town of Ingersoll
Questions or comments?
Council this Week previews the Oxford County Council meeting agenda for residents, community partners and employees. Please send your questions and comments to communications@oxfordcounty.ca