WILMOT TO BUDGET FOR NEW FIRE STATION
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PAGE Thursday, February 5, 2026 BRAVES TAKE SECOND PLACE
PAGE The Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette
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Lillianne Dunstall named president of New Hamburg Board of Trade AMANDA NELSON
Gazette Reporter
(MIKE GRUMMETT PHOTO)
The New Hamburg Dam on a frosty yet sunny day in "the Burg."
Area municipalities struggling with road salt shortage LEE GRIFFI Gazette Reporter
Wilmot Township, East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT), Oxford County and Perth County continue to face high demand for road salt, which remains in short supply. Ontario is experiencing a provincewide road-salt shortage during the 2025-2026 winter season, which is affecting how municipalities, contractors, and residents manage winter road maintenance.
The province saw an unusually early start to winter with frequent snow events and prolonged cold periods, which has pushed supplies to depletion much faster than expected. Municipalities say they’ve already used far more salt than in a typical season by January. Road salt inventories were already low after heavy use in the 2024-2025 season, leaving less on hand going into this winter. “We became aware of the shortage in mid-December when reordering to
replenish our supplies following an exceptionally early start to winter weather,” said David Kleine, Wilmot’s manager of public works. “We usually receive orders in two to five business days which allows us to have a continual supply of salt. This season, the orders have taken upwards of 21 days to arrive.” The township is part of a municipal coop purchasing group, providing access to
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The New Hamburg Board of Trade has welcomed Lillianne Dunstall as its new president for 2026, a milestone year marking the organization’s 75th anniversary. “Seventy-five years really reflects a long history of volunteers supporting local businesses and that speaks to the resilience of the Board of Trade,” said Dunstall. “We've adapted to economic changes and struggling times over the last 75 years, and we're still standing, and that is a testament to the volunteers and the businesses in New Hamburg.” Dunstall, who also serves as a township councillor for Wilmot, brings years of experience working with and advocating for small businesses across New Hamburg and Wilmot Township. She said she is looking forward to the challenges of the role, with several new initiatives already underway. Dunstall said she plans to continue organizing signature events while also expanding community connections through new local initiatives, including an International Women’s Day event in March. She said advocacy will be a key focus this year with an emphasis on better connecting businesses across Wilmot. “I would like to offer them more value for their membership and that, so we've started
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