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PAGE PAGE Thursday, July 2, 2026 The Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette U17 ATHLETICS TAKE OASA QUALIFIER WELLESLEY AI GOVERNANCE POLICY
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Wilmot council considers adding 23 Petersburg homes to watermain cost-sharing AMANDA NELSON Gazette Reporter
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
Young anglers spread out around the McTavish family pond north of Shakespeare during the Shakespeare Optimist Club's annual fishing derby last Saturday, hoping to reel in the day's biggest catch. Full story on page 3.
Multi-day heat event expected for Oxford, Perth and Wilmot Public health warns of the dangers and offers tips on keeping cool LEE GRIFFI Gazette Reporter
Much of the province is in the midst of a multi-day heat event with daytime temperatures reaching over 30 degrees Celsius and humidex values in the low 40s.
A heat warning has been issued for the Gazette’s readership area based on criteria established by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). It is expected to pose an elevated risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion. The warning will be in effect until at least Friday but check
local forecasts for the latest information. Summer camp season has just started and a health promoter at Southwestern Public Health said there are several steps children can take to minimize the effects of the heat. “Especially with children, ensuring Continued on page 2
At the June 22 council meeting, staff and councillors discussed the ongoing upgrades to the Petersburg Drinking Water System, which now may include an additional 23 homes. As part of the proposal, those 23 additional homes along the new water main route would be included in the project's cost-sharing. Staff said these properties would be able to connect to the municipal water system once the new infrastructure is in place. Staff also recommended that affected property owners be offered a repayment option for the local improvement charges at the Bank of Canada prime rate plus 1.5 per cent for a period of up to 20 years, with repayment beginning once construction costs are finalized. Ward 2 Coun. Kris Wilkinson said he supports including the additional 23 homes, noting the owners would have access to the municipal water system once the project is complete. "I should be very clear; no decision has been made to include those additional 23 at this time," he said. "However, I personally am Continued on page 2