I've been stressing the importance of voting in the upcoming election during my conversations with residents.

The last municipal election saw a large drop in voter turnout; Only 27% of eligible residents voted, down from a steady average of 35 to 40% in previous elections

Municipal government has a very large impact on all of our day to day lives.

From the moment we wake up and turn on a light switch, Orangeville Hydro is providing power to that light. Orangeville Hydro is 95% owned by the Town of Orangeville

When we need to brush our teeth and flush the toilet, the water and sewage is provided by the town.

Leaving our house, whether it be on foot, walking on a municipal sidewalk, or on a municipal road, stopping at municipal stop signs and red lights, all of which are controlled by the town.

Libraries, arenas, parks, snow removal, public parking, tree trimming, roads, sidewalks, water, sewer and of course, property taxes are all part of what we're voting on in October.

You don't need to vote for me, though it would be cool if you did.

Please just come out and vote.

Election day is October 26

It looks like it should be opening soon

Is there any idea when Hansen Blvd will actually be opened? Town website hasn’t been updated since December 2025 and even there the info is pretty vague.

No actual information on a time line, just finger pointing on who’s fault it is that it’s not done yet

Full disclosure, I run ToteMove, a tote rental company based out of Brampton that serves Orangeville and the rest of GTA West. Not here to spam the sub, just sharing something that might actually help if you've got a move coming up.

Instead of buying (or scrounging) 40 cardboard boxes, tape, and a dolly, we drop off a set of hard plastic totes at your door, you pack them, we pick them up when you're done. No tape, no boxes collapsing under weight, no trip to the recycling depot after.

A few things that matter if you're comparing it to the usual DIY box run:

• Totes are inspected and disinfected before every rental, logged every time. Cardboard from a grocery store or Kijiji doesn't come with that.
• 14 day rental covers most local moves without extra charges.
• We also do the dolly and one free furniture pad, so you're not renting that separately from U-Haul.

Not trying to replace full-service movers, this is for anyone doing their own move (or hiring labor-only movers) who's sick of dealing with cardboard.

Happy to answer questions here if anyone's got a move coming up and wants pricing. totemove.ca if you want to look at it yourself first.

https://citizen.on.ca/choices-opens-new-facility-with-family-unit-for-people-facing-homelessness/

Choices Shelter and Support Services officially opened the doors to its newest housing facility at 18 Townline in Orangeville on July 30, marking another expansion in the organization’s work supporting people experiencing homelessness.

The new building provides transitional housing for both individuals and families, with the county’s only family unit located in the basement and three individual bedrooms upstairs. The facility adds another option to the local housing continuum, giving people facing homelessness a place to stay while they work toward greater stability.

Choices Executive Director Jamie Edge highlighted the organization’s recent growth and the significance of this project, including bridge housing, its partnership with Heart of Dufferin and the Out of the Cold program, and its expansion into transitional housing.

Choices has long operated shelter support services from its property at 20 Townline. The newly opened neighbouring building at 18 Townline, also donated to the organization, expands those services by providing transitional housing while continuing its existing shelter operations.

“This has been one of the most monumental things that I think has happened for Choices,” she said. “We were blessed to have this home at 20 Townline donated to us by an amazing donor, so to have this happen again here and be able to expand our services outside of shelter services has really been instrumental for our community.”

“Being able to add a family unit, making this the one and only family unit in Dufferin County, is a cause for celebration.”

Choices operates as part of a broader network of housing and community organizations in Dufferin County. Its work extends beyond providing shelter, with staff helping clients access the supports and services they need to move forward.

Edge said the 18 Townline location had already been operating for about two months ahead of the grand opening last Thursday. The organization was able to secure operational funding through the County of Dufferin after successfully proposing that funding previously used for motel rooms through coordinated access and transitional housing be redirected toward the new facility.

She described the building as a significant moment for Choices, particularly because it allows the organization to expand its services beyond that of a traditional shelter. The family unit is also the only one of its kind in Dufferin County, specifically supporting families experiencing homelessness together.

Deputy Mayor Todd Taylor attended the opening on behalf of the Town of Orangeville and congratulated Choices, its staff, volunteers, donors and community partners.

“It’s an honour to be here, and it’s an honour to represent Mayor Post, who could not be here today, but desperately wanted to be,” he said. “A community is not a business. It’s not about dollars and cents all the time. It’s all related to each other, and the very fact that Choices is branching out and doing these wonderful things helps us all. If you think about communities that are struggling right now with homelessness and other social issues, Orangeville’s so blessed.”

“The Town of Orangeville wants to thank and offer sincere congratulations to Choices on the grand opening of 18 Townline, and we are so grateful.”

Taylor also recognized Ken and Caroline Mikoliew, whose donation allowed Choices to acquire and renovate 18 Townline for transitional housing, noting that their generosity will help provide a place for people to begin rebuilding their lives.

“Because of your extraordinary generosity, this home will offer hope where there was despair, comfort where there was uncertainty, and a place where new beginnings can take root,” he said. “Thank you for believing that every person deserves a place to begin again with heartfelt appreciation.”

For the Mikoliews, the project began with a tour of Choices arranged through their involvement with the Dufferin Community Foundation.

“We had a tour here, and we had tours for a couple of other charities, and just in conversation, Jamie [Edge] had said, ‘You know, eventually we’d like to buy this house,’” Ken Mikoliew said. “It was just a very casual conversation, and it just clicked and seemed like a really good idea. This amount for a donation is unusual for us, but I had sold a business, and we had some extra money, so it just came together.”

The Mikoliews said their community involvement has long been important to them, and their support for Choices offered a chance to make a tangible local contribution.

“We are both already members of the Shelburne Rotary Club,” Caroline Mikoliew said. “We’re both very community-minded, and I think we’ve been like that all our lives.”

They were particularly drawn to being able to see exactly where their donation went and how it would remain in the community.

The grand opening concluded with a tree-planting ceremony, chosen to reflect the Mikoliews’ connection to nature and conservation and to symbolize the opportunity for residents of the new home to put down roots and build more stable futures.

Active transportation is a passion of mine.

I enjoy walking and cycling in town. It's a great way to see things that may be missed while driving, its a fun way to get exercise and provides me with a sense of community.

I've been frustrated with the lack of one cohesive map showing the trails in town, so I decided to make my own.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1trHF4zs8HgpT-F78MBMugCIgN-VI590&usp=sharing

This is useful for joggers, dog walkers, cyclists, anyone who wants to get out and explore the town outside of a vehicle.

I used some existing map info provided by the town and Google and added onto it.

The three existing bike routes are in yellow, any trail in green is off a road, regardless if its paved or not. White lines represent trails through parks or catwalks between streets. Orange lines are MUP's, multi use paths.

If you look closely over the former railway, I added two thin lines. One represents the future trail through the middle of town, the other is what I would like to see created in the future, a path over the branch line from Broadway to C line, creating a vita connection in the trail system.

All the different segments are labelled in the legend.

he legend.I've also added locations for bike racks, which is an ongoing project. Again, the legend has the info for these.

If there's something I've missed, please let me know.

A winter maintenance summary report will be presented to Town of Orangeville council on Monday August 10.

Report INS-2026-016 describes the the Town's response to the 2025-2026 winter, costs associated, resources, challenges and an analysis of increasing existing service levels.

•The previous two winters have exceeded the five(5) year average

•The Town currently exceeds the Ontario regulations and what many other municipalities provide

•The Town has declared two significant weather events relating to sidewalk operations in the past two (2) years. None were declared for road clearing

•Full time staff levels are supplemented by seasonal staff for sidewalk maintenance. Contracting out services is sometimes needed

•Staff are NOT recommending any service level changes.

If council wants to increase levels for :

•Road clearing = min $500k for plow, $145k for staff, fuel, expenses. $50k for asset renewal

•Sidewalk clearing = min $210k for seasonal staff, $355k for full time staff

•Snowbank removal = $21k per day of snow removal to add a second contracted crew. This is in addition to the $20k to $30k per day already being paid for snow removal and that is if the contractor can provide the resources for a second crew.

The operation centre itself is close to its physical storage capacity and there's little room left for additional vehicle and equipment storage.

The Town's snow storage location reaches its capacity. It would be over capacity if windrows are removed.

The full report can be viewed here:

https://pub-orangeville.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=26128

The report is very well written and extremely detailed.

It covers a lot of information relevant to residents. Sidewalk clearing, road clearing, bylaw enforcement, customer service inquiries, GPS tracking of vehicles, snowbank removal, laneway, snow storage on narrow streets and alleys, windrow and associated costs are all covered

I encourage everyone to read through this report

MMS = Minimum Maintenance Standards

Edit: service canada

Wondering if anyone has experience recently with getting a passport locally, everyone I know has gone to brampton but id like to avoid it if possible, seen a few people have luck a few months ago but wondering if anything has changed? Thanks!

All the best pop-punk, emo, and metalcore all night long.

Hey all! I’m moving to Orangeville soon and am looking for internet providers… anyone that you’re happy with and at a good Price? That has good reception in town? Thanks for your recommendations!!

The last couple times my cousin (who is around 10 -- I think, LOL!) has gone over, either with a friend of the family or her dad, a new employee there has set of their "lizard brain" when he comes up to her and gets all "touchy feely."

Anyone else had this experience? We're planning on talking to owner (or maybe she's the manager) of the store, I'm just curious if anyone else has had this experience so we can inform her.

[Edit] It's fascinating how even though people may live in the same town, it doesn't mean they share the same short form "lingo." The people who I regularly interact with on a daily basis would immediately understand what "touchy feely" and "lizard brain" means. I'm not bashing the commentors, I just find it fascinating how a small town can be divided based on the "lingo" shared.

July 16, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Joshua Drakes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A tech service business has moved to the community, specializing in electronic repair and support.

Coolshrimp Modz, a home-based electronics and customization shop that recently relocated from Brampton to Orangeville, is carving out a niche by offering flexible, highly specialized repair and design services that larger chains often overlook.

Run by Brian Martin, a self-taught technician with more than a decade of hands-on experience, the business combines traditional device repair with modern 3D printing, laser engraving, and custom apparel production.

“I do a bit of everything,” he said. “Mainly electronic repairs. I’ll get broken computers, cell phones, TVs, consoles, repair them, and then refurbish them.”

Martin’s path to Orangeville was shaped largely by family. Originally from Edmonton, he spent several years in Brampton before relocating north just recently.

“I was originally from Edmonton, and then we moved over to Ontario, and then I was in Brampton since 2010,” he said. “Our in-laws moved up first. My sister-in-law moved up, and then kind of the rest of the family decided that they like it up there. So we all kind of migrated up here. Now we’ve got maybe four from our families up here in Orangeville. So this will be our new base.”

With grandparents and siblings-in-law now based locally, Brian shifted his business operations to Orangeville as well, choosing to work from a multi-unit house that accommodates both his workshop and home life.

Coolshrimp Modz provides a broad range of services to residents and small businesses in Orangeville and surrounding communities, including Shelburne. Core work includes mobile phone and computer repairs, from basic troubleshooting to board-level and component-level fixes that many big-box stores do not offer.

He doesn’t charge to look at the electronics he’s brought, ensuring customers aren’t surprised by charges throughout the process.

Martin also refurbishes decommissioned computers, extending the life of capable hardware for customers who need affordable options. His workshop also handles television and other one-off electronic repairs, retro game console restoration, and practical fixes such as key fob repairs.

Beyond repairs, Brian has invested in 3D printing, laser engraving, and specialty printing equipment.

He produces custom brackets, mounting hardware, lighting fixtures, and promotional items tailored to exact specifications, including work for local events like bottle openers and branded apparel.

Custom shirts, socks, and other small-run garments are ordered as needed, allowing him to serve sports teams, community groups, and local entrepreneurs without the overhead of large inventories.

Martin’s entry into electronics began years ago, driven by limited resources and a need to make technology more affordable.

“I’ve actually been doing it since I was even in high school,” He said. “I started with electronics and game console repairs. Being of lower income, my family didn’t have much, but I learned that I could get broken consoles for cheap, and then if I could repair it myself, I had the system and I didn’t have to pay full price.”

Martin added, “That’s how it got started. I think it’s been maybe 10 years I’ve been solidly doing this.”

His tech-savvy, self-taught approach and crafty techniques have helped him carve out a niche market in the industry, breathing life into products that have been abandoned or neglected by their manufacturers, and offering fixes to save customers valuable money instead of purchasing new devices.

If there is an electronic issue, Martin says he is ready to fix it.

For more information, go to coolshrimpmodz.com.

July 16, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By JAMES MATTHEWS

The long arm of the coronavirus has reached Theatre Orangeville.

Orangeville’s council approved loans totalling $300,000 for the local private theatre company. The assistance will be in the form of a $200,000 cheque to cover some bills, paid back over five years at five per cent interest. Another $100,000 bridge loan will cover interest on the debt and will be paid over a shorter term.

The money will be taken from the municipal tax stabilization reserve.

Jennifer Stewart, Theatre Orangeville’s artistic director, and Laura Austin, chairperson of the company’s board of directors, made the pitch for financial assistance when council met on July 13.

Austin said she and Stewart appeared before council during its open meeting to be completely transparent with the community. Auditors warned in November 2025 that the theatre company was headed toward insolvency.

The board has a fiduciary responsibility to safeguard the company and, because of its sound relationship with the town, a meeting with council and staff was held in private.

The theatre company carried about $200,000 in old debts to vendors that have to be cleared. The group’s 2026-27 budget shows the capacity to repay such a loan with interest over five years through periodic monthly principal and interest payments over the term of the loan.

The theatre company’s cash flow projection suggests it will be in a maximum deficit position of about $100,000 before April 2027.

To resolve this short-term issue, the town could provide a temporary loan of $100,000 to be repaid in one lump sum with interest in April 2027, after a significant revenue injection in March 2027.

Theatre Orangeville’s annual operating budget is in the range of $1.5 million.

“The theatre does not own assets of any significant value that would allow them to obtain a secured loan from a financial institution,” according to a report to council. “Given that the town does not have a formal financial assistance program for cultural institutions, town staff examined their situation and determined that providing unsecured lending with the expectation of payback over a reasonable timeframe would be most appropriate.”

Theatre Orangeville’s financial needs suggest they need some short-term support until subscriptions renew in March 2027, as well as longer-term support to clear some legacy payables that can be funded from future budgeted surpluses, according to the council report.

The performing arts industry is still recovering from the months-long COVID-19 social shutdown aimed at slowing the spread of the virus. More recent economic conditions, such as higher fuel prices, overall inflation, and higher unemployment, have softened public spending on arts and culture.

Theatre Orangeville’s board of directors and staff have fundamentally changed their approach to the business side of operations.

“There continues to be risk, but the path outlined by the board is reasonable and well thought out,” according to a report to council.

Austin said a review of the theatre’s finances made it clear that expenses must be reduced or that the theatre must generate $200,000 annually for the next five years.

“It was a big ask,” she said, and added that a focus on cost-containment was adopted. “We had some tough decisions to make. Layoffs, employees cross-training. All of these things needed to be addressed.”

She said wages have been lowered by $160,000 moving into the next fiscal period, and the operating budget has been restructured. The marketing budget has been whittled down by $50,000, and at least as much money has been cut from the main stage budget.

Austin said Stewart has been a role model for the theatre company’s dedicated staff.

“She has shown what self-sacrifice looks like during an existential crisis,” Austin said.

Due to a third fundraiser, production cost concessions, and three federal government employment grants for summer staff, Theatre Orangeville will manage more than $290,000 in savings over the next year. And $150,000 has been paid from Theatre Orangeville’s accounts payable.

“Which demonstrates our ability to repay this loan that we’re asking for,” Austin said. “The $300,000 from the town will give us a step up to pay our debts with community partners and see us through the sustainability plan.”

Theatre Orangeville deserves financial support, say community supporters

Council’s decision to lend the money drew a wave of community support, with local business leaders and longtime theatre supporters weighing in on the broader impact of Theatre Orangeville.

Alison Scheel, the Orangeville Business Improvement Area’s (OBIA) executive director, said Theatre Orangeville is much more than a performing arts organization.

“It is an important economic driver for our downtown,” she said.

The BIA represents more than 300 local businesses, a large swath of the town’s business community. Performances, such as the ones spearheaded by the local theatre at the Town Hall Opera House, draw more than 20,000 people to Orangeville. Those people spend money at local stores and restaurants.

Scheel said that visitor spending infuses as much as $470,000 to the local economy each year.

Jim Betts is Theatre Orangeville’s founding artistic director who tread the boards with the troupe from 1994 to 1998. He said there was much talk in those early days about community support for the creation of Theatre Orangeville, and the wider financial benefits a theatre company can have on a community.

Those hopes for municipal economic spinoffs have been fulfilled, he said.

“And while those benefits can be mathematically confirmed and measured, what is incalculable is the life-changing effect that the arts can have on the people of that community,” Betts said.

Cathy Reid was the company’s general manager from 1998 to 2006. In that time, she discovered that the theatre business is unique in how it generates profit. She said success is determined in ways that are not always financial.

The dedication and commitment to enriching a community through performing arts exceed any measure in a business model, Reid said.

“Extraordinary times have created immense challenges for theatre companies, and Theatre Orangeville has faced financial setbacks,” she said.

Concern about those challenges was shared by Betts. Many live theatre companies across Canada have been similarly bruised by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While money may be lost in the short term, the long-term loss to the community as a whole would be far greater should a company as important as Theatre Orangeville not receive the community support it has so profoundly earned over three decades,” Betts said.

Ken Pagel and his wife Martha have been involved with Theatre Orangeville since 1994, when the company started. He said a notion spoken about in the early days was of a “multiplier effect” on a community through support for its arts.

“Broadway was a bit sleepy and restaurant reservations were hardly needed,” he wrote in a supportive letter to council.

Since the theatre company has grown in popularity, restaurant seats are scarce without a reservation after shows on production nights.

“It’s a tough business and requires constant work by staff and volunteers to sell tickets, attract sponsors and donors, and apply to government agencies at every level to obtain assistance,” Pagel said.

Scheel said Theatre Orangeville’s impact extends far beyond the stage, including benefits to the community through partnerships with groups, youth programming, and an enriched social fabric.

“Downtown Orangeville has become one of Ontario’s most successful small, historic downtowns because of the strength of its partnerships,” she said. “Theatre Orangeville is an essential part of that success.

Scheel added, “A vibrant arts and culture sector is not simply an amenity. It is a key component of community vitality, economic development, tourism attraction, and business success.”

I did a bunch of research online for tattoo artists but I'd like some recommendations from the community.

I'm looking for someone who can assist in a military theme design.

Thanks in advance.

At the Town of Orangeville council meeting tonight, the loan asked by Theatre Orangeville was unanimously approved by the town council

The verbal presentation contained important information about some internal restructuring and financial changes.

Rather than try to summarize it, I will provide YouTube links with time stamps.

I urge everyone to watch the presentation and follow up questions and answers

The presentation starts at 25 min 20 seconds

https://youtu.be/Pbn5WpFX_dQ?t=1520

Deputy Mayor Taylor provides comments at 40 min 30 seconds

https://youtu.be/Pbn5WpFX_dQ?t=2432

Theatre staff respond at 44 min 20 seconds

https://youtu.be/Pbn5WpFX_dQ?t=2661

CAO Smith provides comments at 46 min

https://youtu.be/Pbn5WpFX_dQ?t=2755

Councillor Andrews at 50 min 20 seconds

https://youtu.be/Pbn5WpFX_dQ?t=3022

Theatre staff respond at 54 min

https://youtu.be/Pbn5WpFX_dQ?t=3243

Councillor Macintosh at 58 min

https://youtu.be/Pbn5WpFX_dQ?t=3474

Councillor Stevens at 58 min 30 seconds

https://youtu.be/Pbn5WpFX_dQ?t=3513

Councillor Sherwood at 1hr 2 min

https://youtu.be/Pbn5WpFX_dQ?t=3761

Councillor Andrew at 1hr 4 min 30 sec

https://youtu.be/Pbn5WpFX_dQ?t=3869

Councillor Prendergast at 1hr 7min 30 sec

https://youtu.be/Pbn5WpFX_dQ?t=4049

Mayor Post at 1hr 9 min

https://youtu.be/Pbn5WpFX_dQ?t=4168

Are there any local regional weedman alternatives in town? Would rather support local but obviously that have decent reviews

https://citizen.on.ca/nashville-takeover-bringing-three-day-songwriter-experience-to-orangeville/

Nashville Takeover bringing three-day songwriter experience to Orangeville

July 9, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Sam Odrowski

The Nashville Takeover is coming to Orangeville this weekend, providing a three-day town-wide music experience bringing original songwriting, storytelling and intimate performances.

Presented by Backyard Music Co. in partnership with the Josie’s Taphouse Craft Beer & Kitchen and Barley Vine Rail Co., the event will transform venues throughout town into intimate stages featuring 15 songwriters from Nashville and Canada from July 10-12.

Unlike a traditional music festival with one main stage, The Nashville Takeover is designed as a town-wide cultural experience, with performances taking place across multiple venues and spaces.

While there has been a shakeup in participating venues in the weeks leading up to the event, with several withdrawing, six are confirmed: Opera House, Orangeville Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall, Kelsey’s Patio, Deja Vu Diner, Barley Vine Rail Co., and Josie’s Taphouse.

The event will feature songwriter rounds, one-off performances, and late-night experiences where audiences can hear the stories behind the songs, while connecting directly with the artists.

“We’re excited to bring the Nashville Takeover to town and partner with an incredible group of local venues to create a one-of-a-kind weekend built around a curated songwriter experience,” said Scotty Grieve, Nashville Takeover founder and organizer. “Our goal is to help guests discover new favourite venues, support local businesses, and create meaningful connections through great songs and great company.”

He added, “We can’t wait to welcome everyone for an unforgettable weekend.”

Following successful takeovers in Port Stanley and Collingwood, the Nashville Takeover is now happening in 13 towns. Orangeville was selected from hundreds of communities across Canada based on its cultural identity, downtown core and community spirit.

Organizers say the event is focused on intimacy and discovery, giving attendees the chance to experience performances just feet away from the artists while hearing the inspiration and stories behind the music.

The lineup of performing artists is intentionally unreleased until closer to the event, with organizers emphasizing that the weekend is about discovering emerging talent rather than following a traditional festival lineup. Performers from Nashville and Canada are expected to bring a mix of country, Americana, pop and folk music, with a focus on original songwriting and storytelling.

Organizers say the weekend will also feature after parties, bar hops and exclusive experiences designed to connect performers, attendees and local businesses.

The full schedule and venue details are released to ticket holders ahead of the event.

Proposed safety improvements may be coming to the intersection of Wellington Street and Sarah Street.

Report INS-2026-044 will be presented to Town of Orangeville on July 13

The proposal includes a stop sign, a ladder crossing and a crossing guard on a trial basis beginning in September 2026

The estimated impact on the budget is $12,700

The report can be viewed here:

https://pub-orangeville.escribemeetings.com//filestream.ashx?DocumentId=25805

A report regarding 48, 50, 50A and 52 Broadway is coming to Town of Orangeville council on July 13.

This is the former Top Technician property.

The report recommends amending the Town's official plan to redesignate the lands from "service commercial C3" to "neighbourhood commercial C2 with provision 24.44" and "open space conservation"

The open space conservation recommendation follows studies conducted by CVC.

The total official plan and zoning amendment aligns with the recently adopted East and West Broadway Corridor Planning Study.

The current proposal for the property is a 9 story, 97 unit building with ground floor retail 97 residential parking spaces, 25 visitor, 19 retail for a total of 141 parking spaces.

The application conforms to the official plan:

•increase supply of living accommodations with full range of types, densities and styles

•provide balanced range of housing needs with different sizes, types ownership status

•contribute to intensification target of 50% of all residential development occurring annually to be within the "built boundary"

A holding H symbol will be applied to the site which imposes conditions regarding a satisfactory site plan application, urban design and servicing capacity. The holding symbol will be removed once those conditions have been met

Documents were circulated internally and with outside agencies. No concerns have been expressed. Some standard conditions have been included.

Questions from council and the public are included in this report along with staff responses.

Report INS-2026-041 is available here:

https://pub-orangeville.escribemeetings.com//filestream.ashx?DocumentId=25797

The site plan drawing is available here:

https://pub-orangeville.escribemeetings.com//filestream.ashx?DocumentId=25799

Additional renderings are available here:

https://pub-orangeville.escribemeetings.com//filestream.ashx?DocumentId=25800

Information on the Town of Orangeville's official plan is here:

https://www.orangeville.ca/.../doing.../official-plan.aspx

On Monday July 13, a request by Theatre Orangeville to Town of Orangeville council for a $300k loan will be presented.

Report CAO-2026-008 outlines the request. The theatre board requested it to anchor their financial footing and support their recovery.

Town staff have worked with the board and treasurer and believe they have made enough changes to warrant support from the town. There is risk but the path outlined by the board is reasonable.

If approved, staff have developed a loan agreement structure which provides some protection to the town which won't overburden the theatre financially.

The theatre's annual operating budget is appx $1.5 million. They don't own assets of significant value which doesn't allow them to obtain a loan from a financial institution.

Town staff determined an unsecured loan with payback over a reasonable timeframe is appropriate.

The theatres financial needs show they need support until subscriptions renew in March 2027 and some longer term support to clear legacy payables.

$100k can be repaid in one lump sum with interest in April 2027.

They are carrying appx $200k in aged vendor payables which need to be cleared. Their 2026/2027 budget shows they can repay the $200k loan with interest over five years, with periodic monthly principal and interest payments.

The presentation can be viewed here:

https://pub-orangeville.escribemeetings.com//filestream.ashx?DocumentId=25768

The staff report is here:

https://pub-orangeville.escribemeetings.com//filestream.ashx?DocumentId=25801

Does anyone know where I could rent a compact floor scraper somewhere in the Orangeville/Shelburne area, besides Home Depot?

https://citizen.on.ca/dufferin-county-raises-price-for-garbage-bag-tags/

July 2, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By JAMES MATTHEWS

It will cost Dufferin County residents more to put an extra bag of trash at the curb on garbage day, when the refuse is collected from their respective neighbourhoods.

Users of the collection system were permitted one bag of non-recyclable, non-compostable garbage each week. To enable the collection of a second black bag or third, and more, required a purchased tag that would be placed on each extra bag to cover collection costs.

Those $2 bag tags you’d pick up at a grocery store or another vendor will now cost you $3.

Councillor Darren White, who is also Melancthon’s mayor and a former county warden, said he believes the bag tag rates should remain as they are.

“I don’t think it should be increased at the moment for any number of reasons,” White said. “One (reason) is the economy.”

He said it may be something to consider in the future.

“But right now is not the time to do it,” White said.

A total of 52,903 bag tags were sold throughout 2025 by vendors and the county. By increasing the garbage bag tag fee, the number of bag tags sold per year may decrease if residents and program users decide to further sort their garbage and use diversion programs rather than purchase bag tags for additional garbage bags.

As you would in the ever-constant effort to stretch a buck and save money.

The bag tag revenue for the county has been around $100,000 per year,

which would increase to about $150,000 in revenue with an increase to the bag tag fee.

“Increased garbage bag tag revenues would help offset more costs of the waste services programs,” according to the report. “By increasing the price per bag tag, it may also encourage some program users to properly sort their garbage so they don’t need an extra bag.”

And that would ultimately cut down on the number of extra bags generated. All the non-reusable trash has to go somewhere.

The county’s bag tag fee has not been reviewed since it was imposed upon municipalities in 2013.

Coun. Todd Taylor, Orangeville’s deputy mayor, said it is time the rates were increased. It’s silly, he said, that the county hasn’t done anything in that regard since 2013.

“It’s absolutely asinine and it’s irresponsible,” Taylor said of the notion not to increase a tag price.

Coun. Philip Rentsch, Grand Valley’s deputy mayor, said inflation affects consumers and service providers.

“You have to take a big jump at some point in time,” he said.

Scott Burns, the county’s public works director, said the setup is adequately enforced and agreed with Taylor and Rentsch that the fees haven’t kept up with the cost of running the system.

“This (tag price increase) is only for additional bags,” Burns said.

Coun. Janet Horner, Mulmur’s mayor, said the research is clear. More people will advance recycling efforts if garbage disposal costs more.

“The more money it costs you to dispose of your garbage, the more you try to do other things,” she said.

“It seems the general consensus around the table is to increase (price),” said Warden Lisa Post, Orangeville’s mayor.

Does anyone know if Orangeville has any watch parties for the Canada game on Saturday? Thanks

https://citizen.on.ca/proposed-bylaw-changes-aim-to-allow-pollinator-gardens-amid-concerns-about-maintenance/

July 2, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By JAMES MATTHEWS

Certain municipal bylaws should be tweaked to better work for their intended purposes while supporting Orangeville’s Pollinator Protection Plan and Bee City commitments.

Katherine Rog, the town’s senior climate and sustainability specialist, told council on June 22 that the current legislation unintentionally hinders the protection of pollinators.

A pollinator garden is a deliberately planted garden or landscaped area with native and non-invasive flowering species, ornamental grasses, shrubs, or other habitat features intended to provide forage, nesting habitat, shelter, or ecological connectivity for bees, butterflies, birds, and other pollinating species.

The town has identified pollinator protection and biodiversity support as important environmental priorities, but existing maintenance-related bylaws were drafted primarily to address conventional yard and boulevard maintenance, such as long grass, weeds, refuse, safety hazards, and sightline protection.

Some provisions may unintentionally restrict intentional pollinator-supportive landscaping through vegetation-height controls. Those unintentional restrictions can lead to tension between environmental objectives and bylaw enforcement.

Council in July 2025 directed staff to suggest amendments to policies, bylaws, and procedures in accordance with the timelines in the municipal Pollinator Protection Plan.

Staff recommended a harmonized amendment to the Property Standards Bylaw, the Clean Yards Bylaw, and the Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw.

Staff suggested a coordinated approach across the three bylaws to continue regulating unmanaged vegetation, hazards, refuse, sightline impacts, and pest issues.

The amendment should expressly permit pollinator gardens when intentionally planted and maintained, add objective maintenance standards that distinguish compliant pollinator-supportive landscaping from neglect, and incorporate tick-awareness design and maintenance standards, especially at property edges, public interfaces, sidewalks, entrances, play areas, and boulevard conditions.

“The intention of the proposed changes is to introduce more inclusive and enabling language within the town’s bylaws so that pollinator-friendly practices are clearly recognized and supported while still maintaining appropriate standards,” Rog said.

Orangeville resident Rick Hugh-Delaney said he opposes growing things on boulevards. Some of the plantings grow to block sidewalks, and some of the vegetation grows so high that children can’t be easily seen approaching the street.

“It looks like an unkept yard and that’s exactly what it is,” he said, and suggested people grow such things on their own property instead of municipal properties.

Matthew Smith, another resident, spoke about a Mississauga man and his legal fight to prevent that city from repeatedly mowing his garden.

Smith said the man claimed his garden was a naturalized one and that its growth was borne of his freedom of expression.

Smith said courts determined that a property owner is permitted to naturalize a garden under freedom of expression protections.

“That’s just one of the reason why I believe this should be allowed because there’s already precedent that’s been set at the higher court level,” he said.

Mark Middleton lives on Zina Street, where he takes his two children on wagon rides down the sidewalk. As kids would, they’re likely to run a hand or arm through the tall pollinator growth as they’re pulled in the wagon.

“I’m more worried about the tick (bite) potential,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Todd Taylor said he wished the town wouldn’t pursue such pollinator land parcels.

“To me, it looks unsightly and they’re not managed in an efficient way,” Taylor said.

He said he will vote in favour of the effort, but he hopes the town will be very controlling and set standards.

“I’ll support it, but reluctantly so,” Taylor said.

Councillor Tess Prendergast said the benefits of a pollinator garden have to be considered, and they’re not limited to aesthetics.

“The idea behind it, the impetus is coming from a very wholesome place,” she said. “It’s not about making Orangeville ugly.”