10
8
Thursday, July 30, 2026 PAGE The Wilmot-Tavistock GazetteHUMANE SOCIETY FUNDRAISER WILMOT PROPOSED CIP PAGE
1
The Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette Serving New Hamburg, Tavistock, Baden, Wellesley, New Dundee, St. Agatha, Shakespeare, Petersburg, Hickson, Punkeydoodle’s Corner and area
YOU ARE SO VERY SINCE 1895
LOVED THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2026
1-175 Waterloo Street New Hamburg, ON N3A 1S3 Phone - 519.662.2731 wilmotwellesleyrc.ca
FREE
Wilmot approves new official plan but not without opposition 11 delegates asking for more time as council vote not unanimous
LEE GRIFFI Gazette Reporter
(KATIE MUSSELMAN PHOTO)
Wellesley Junior Fair Ambassador contestant Riley Purdie receives the traditional "kiss for good luck" from Llarry the llama while fellow contestant Madison Hernandez waits her turn during a recent farm visit. Program organizer Manni Hayer looks on in the background. Full story on page 15.
EZT to look at allowing food trucks on township recreation properties GALEN SIMMONS Regional Editor
East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT) Township staff are looking at the possibility of allowing food trucks and trailers on township property.
Woodstock resident Samantha Healy recently delegated to members of council, asking if she could set up an ice cream trailer at Innerkip Park for the rest of the summer. “Our trailer would not be a permanent fixture. It would be brought to the park
each day and removed at the end of the day. I believe an ice cream trailer would be a great treat for families, children and sports teams attending the many events held at the park.” Coun. Scott Rudy asked if allowing Continued on page 2
Wilmot Township council has passed its new official plan, which will come into effect in 2028 and will dictate growth and development in the township over the next 25 years. The plan was approved in a 4-2 recorded vote, with councillors Lillianne Dunstall, Stewart Cressman and Steven Martin, and Mayor Natasha Salonen voting in favour and councillors Kris Wilkinson and Harvir Sidhu opposed. Cressman initially voted against adopting the plan, but later said he had misunderstood the motion and believed he was voting on a deferral. A debate over procedure followed before council held a second recorded vote, resulting in the plan’s endorsement. A deferral motion was made by Coun. Wilkinson so staff and members of council could take a second look, but it was voted down. A total of 11 residents spoke at Monday evening’s meeting, and there was one common Continued on page 2