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OXFORD OFFICIAL PAGEThe Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette PLAN ENGAGEMENT
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Thursday, June 11, 2026 BRAVES SIGN YAGAR PAGE
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The Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette Serving New Hamburg, Tavistock, Baden, Wellesley, New Dundee, St. Agatha, Shakespeare, Petersburg, Hickson, Punkeydoodle’s Corner and area
175 Waterloo St., New Hamburg | (519) 662-2731 www.wilmotwellesleyrc.ca
SINCE 1895
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026
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EZT councillor asking for reduced speed limit on all township residential streets LEE GRIFFI
Gazette Reporter
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
John Schultz, left, and Diane serve additional portions of pickerel to guests enjoying the all-you-can-eat fish fry at the Tavistock Men's Club. Full story on page 4.
Regional council approves additional water extraction from Wilmot LEE GRIFFI
Gazette Reporter
The Region of Waterloo met for seven-plus hours last week with water dominating the narrative. What resulted was the approval of more H2O being pumped out of Wilmot Township, but with some protections in place.
Councillors okayed an additional 15 litres per second from the Wilmot Centre well supply, something Mayor Natasha Salonen said will assist with growth areas until a new side stream system comes online to increase water supply later this year. “(Those growth areas are) Kitchener, part of Cambridge, Waterloo and part of
Woolwich Township. The other component, which I was particularly happy to see passed unanimously, was an amendment to protect Wilmot residents around this well.” As has been widely reported in the Gazette and other area media, there have been over 30 complaints of well Continued on page 2
“Forty is the new 50.” That’s what East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT) Ward 3 Coun. Jeremy Smith called his notice of motion at last week’s regular township meeting. Smith’s motion asked “that council direct staff to prepare a comprehensive report, including costs, on the implementation of a 40 km/hr speed limit, reduced from 50 km/ hr.” No specific timeline was set in the motion, but Smith is asking for the report to come to a future meeting of the current council, which means before the end of October. “Since 2017, since an amendment to the Highway Traffic Act, municipalities have proactively reduced speed limits on residential streets, commonly to 40 km/hr,” said Smith. “Even 30 km/hr has been applied in instances where it’s deemed appropriate.” He said many municipalities use what are called gateway signs at neighbourhood entry and exit points, something which eliminates the need for sign installations on every street. “The impetus of bringing this to council and staff has been my firsthand experience, mostly in my own neighbourhood as a driver where I do feel 40 km/hr is an appropriate Continued on page 3