I made a map showing how Mill Creek was depicted on maps in 1875, 1912 and current day.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit...

The white line is from the 1875 map, blue is 1912 fire insurance plans and the red from data supplied by Credit Valley Conservation

It's interesting seeing the 1875 map showing the flow which used to exist from close to Amelia and College, join up with the main branch of Mill Creek near John and Little York. Two large ponds are visible as well; One in Kay Cee Gardens and the other on the north side of Front St.

The 1912 map shows Mill pond, north of Front St, providing power to nearby industry

I also included the path followed by the Lower Monora Creek. Although it's separate from Mill Creek, it's an important wildlife corridor running through the middle of our town

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From Mayor Post on Facebook:

It’s finally connected! Hansen Boulevard is OPEN!

This one has been a long time coming for Orangeville.

For years, our community has been waiting for the Hansen Boulevard connection to be completed, and I’m incredibly happy that we can finally say - it’s done!

A huge thank you to Great Gulf for stepping up, recognizing how important this connection is to our community, and staying committed to getting it across the finish line. The current development environment in Ontario has certainly brought its challenges, which makes their continued commitment to this project even more appreciated.

Strong community partnerships matter, and this is a great example of what can happen when the Town, our development partners, staff, contractors and others work together toward a common goal.

The Hansen connection means better connectivity through this part of town, supports our growing community and completes an important piece of infrastructure that residents have been waiting a very long time to see finished.

And one more important update for residents in the area: now that the Hansen Boulevard connection is complete, the barricades at College Avenue will also be coming down, creating another connection as well.

It’s been a long wait, Orangeville - but we got here.

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

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It looks like it should be opening soon

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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.

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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

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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.

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

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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

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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

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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.”

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We’ve had a few questions come in about Rotary Park lately, so we thought we’d share an update on where things stand.

A lot has happened behind the scenes since the old playground came down in August 2024. Watermain work wrapped up, a community survey and consultation with Access Orangeville helped shape the new playground design (you picked design three — great choice 👏), and we’ve been working through the approvals and consultations needed to do this project properly.

Our timelines have shifted. New park features won’t be ready for use this summer. We’re now targeting completion of the playground, shade structures, washrooms, pickleball courts and Idyllwilde parking lot by the end of this year (2026). This means the park will be ready for full use come spring 2027. The tennis courts and remaining features are planned for 2027.

This is a park that’s going to serve Orangeville for a long time. We want to build it right. Thank you for hanging in there with us.

For the latest on all Town construction projects, including Rotary Park, visit orangeville.ca/construction

On Monday June 22, a public meeting will be held for a proposed development at the corner of Hansen Blvd and Parkinson Crescent.

No voting will take place. This meeting is for information gathering only.

The proposal is for two mixed use buildings, with 10 ground floor commercial units, 3 ground floor residential units, 20 upper level residential units and a six unit townhouse block at the rear of the site.

The cover page is available here:
https://pub-orangeville.escribemeetings.com//filestream.ashx?DocumentId=25630

The presentation is available here:
https://pub-orangeville.escribemeetings.com//filestream.ashx?DocumentId=25635

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The stats from the Orangeville Food Bank for May and a comparison to last year.

If you're able, please consider donating.

On a personal note, I'm very proud to be a volunteer with the food bank. I've been volunteering every Tuesday for the past three years.

Regardless of the results of the election on October 26, I will continue to volunteer with the food bank. I believe in leading by example and helping others is a core value of mine. I'm here for all members of our community.

https://citizen.on.ca/orangeville-council-bans-use-of-e-scooters-within-town-limits/

June 11, 2026 · 0 Comments

By JAMES MATTHEWS

The growing popularity of e-scooters in Orangeville has garnered much attention from residents.

And some arguments about the conveyance’s use were broached during town council’s June 8 meeting when council voted unanimously not to opt into Ontario’s e-scooter pilot program.

Municipal communications staff were tasked with informing residents about the proper and safe use of the vehicles.

Broadway resident Chuck Simpson said he’s seen more and more e-scooters being used in town over the last few weeks. And he has a number of concerns about their growing popularity.

For one, it seems many riders are unaware of the basic rules of the road. Many riders he’s watched don’t use signals and seldom stop or walk the scooter across an intersection. He’s troubled by how riders scooting down a sidewalk will dodge onto a street and into intersections against traffic lights.

And it seems they believe safety equipment, like a simple helmet, is optional.

“If you get hit by an object in the head, even if you’re doing 25kms/hr, the so-called maximum speed allowed, you’re going to get hurt and the possible loss of control of your scooter,” Simpson said.

He witnessed a couple of young riders blow through a red light, so he spoke to them about the rules of the road.

“I got a new set of hand signals and very colourful reply, which was shocking,” he said of the young riders’ response.

The province established an e-scooter pilot program in 2020 to evaluate their use. That program will run until November 2029 to enable an optimal timeframe to collect data and evaluate policy.

Regulations don’t automatically allow e-scooters everywhere in Ontario.

In fact, the rules stipulate that no person shall operate an e-scooter on a highway, sidewalk, trail, path, walkway, public park, or exhibition ground unless the municipality has adopted rules or a bylaw permitting their use.

“In practical terms, this means municipalities control whether e-scooters are lawful locally and on what terms of use are dictated under the enacted local bylaw,” according to a report to council. “Ontario’s municipal guidance reinforces that point, stating that municipalities wishing to allow e-scooters on their roads must pass bylaws and decide what is appropriate for their communities.”

James Bramley, the town’s licensing and bylaw enforcement supervisor, said e-scooters are prohibited within Orangeville on any sidewalks, roadways, and trailways.

“And this is governed by the province through the Highway Traffic Act,” he said, and added that their use on private property isn’t regulated.

There isn’t a common practice among all the Ontario municipalities that allow e-scooters. There are many that have opted into the province’s pilot program, but many big cities have instituted prohibitions because of safety concerns, he said.

“There are significant challenges,” Bramley said. “Safety concerns as rules aren’t enforced and the challenge to enforce them … due to the fact there are no license plates on these vehicles.”

They’re often operated by young children, and there are prohibitive rules for bylaw staff that complicate charging minors. And he said that bylaw enforcement officers lack the authority to stop a vehicle as police do.

“We can ask for an identification, but we cannot compel identification,” Bramley said. “That’s a very large factor.”

There are no consequences for refusing a bylaw officer’s request for identification.

And that’s why municipal enforcement staff recommend the town not buy into the pilot program.

“If we bring in these regulations and rules, we are a reactive team,” he said.

Councillor Andy Macintosh asked how the town could realistically offer residents education on e-scooter use when that activity is prohibited.

Coun. Tess Prendergast suggested the town take part in the provincial pilot program only as far as its educational ends, and to leave out the enforcement side.

“Because we can’t enforce this,” she said. “That’s the reality. It would be impossible to enforce this by the OPP. But the province is seriously lacking education for kids, parents, and families, and drivers. The onus is now on us as a municipality to pick up that slack.”

Kids can modify those e-scooters to enable them to achieve 40 km/hr, she said.

“These are dangerous,” she said. “Acquired brain injury is no joke.”

A proposed new Open Air Fires bylaw will be presented to Town of Orangeville council tonight.

If approved the new bylaw will continue to regulate outdoor fires and would introduce updates intended to improve clarity and address community concerns.

Updates include:

•Name and definitions

•When a permit is required

•Conditions and safety rules

•Air quality, weather and fire ban restrictions

•Prohibited materials

•Sensitive Receptor and complains

•Fees

The staff report is available here:

https://pub-orangeville.escribemeetings.com//filestream.ashx?DocumentId=25488

The proposed bylaw is available here:

https://pub-orangeville.escribemeetings.com//filestream.ashx?DocumentId=25512

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On Monday June 8, a report for the e-scooter pilot will be presented to Town of Orangeville council

The recommendation in report CPS-2026-030 is for Town to maintain its current status outside of the provincial program (not approve their use within the town limits).

The full report is available here:

https://pub-orangeville.escribemeetings.com//filestream.ashx?DocumentId=25452

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https://citizen.on.ca/orangeville-woman-tells-council-about-alleged-drug-house/

May 28, 2026 · 0 Comments

By JAMES MATTHEWS

At least one Orangeville resident wonders who she can turn to about ending illicit activities at a suspected drug house in her neighbourhood.

A Montgomery Boulevard resident drew attention to an alleged “drug house” when council met on May 25. She said she lives near a high school, an elementary school, and a recreation facility. There’s also a drug house close by, she said.

“I’m here because I don’t know who can help me,” she said.

She said the drug house is very busy and has become familiar to Dufferin Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)

“They always validate my concerns, saying that they know what is happening at the house, yet here I am,” the resident said of the OPP’s response to complaints about the house.

She said she’s reached out to municipal bylaw enforcement staff, and she’s called the Fire Marshall’s Office for various alleged infractions. She’s even made reports to Crime Stoppers.

“Although all is great and I’m sure there’s things happening in the background, I’m here because someone has to be able to do something,” she said. “I should feel safe in my own home.”

She said her daughter should be safe, but that’s difficult when there are used syringes littering the area because of the alleged drug use.

“There are people smoking crack in the back [of the house], in the front during the day as kids are walking by,” she said.

She’s knocked on the house’s windows and pleaded for the drug users to take their activities inside.

“Do what you need to do, but it doesn’t have to be at 8 a.m. when kids are walking to school,” she said.

Orangeville Mayor Lisa Post said it sounds as if the resident has taken the correct steps and done the right things to alert the authorities. Post and Deputy Mayor Todd Taylor are members of the town’s Police Services Board, and the allegation will be raised at the board’s next meeting, she said.

Councillor Rick Stevens said he also lives in that neighbourhood, and he’s read social media posts by other Montgomery Boulevard residents about the house. He applauded the woman for coming forward and bringing it to council.

“We are listening,” Stevens said.

Taylor said it is important for people to bring such concerns to council. He said he contacted the local OPP detachment’s inspector and asked some questions.

“The answers that I can give you are frustrating, but should also make you feel good,” Taylor said.

He said the police’s street crime officers have a good grasp of illicit drug activity in Orangeville. At some point, the drug dealers and users get what’s coming to them, but there’s a process that needs to play out.

“They know all the spots,” he said. “They know all the players. They’re on these guys.”

Crime in Orangeville is on the decline, he said. Compared to similar-sized Ontario municipalities, Orangeville’s crime rate is low.

“Orangeville is a very safe place to be,” Taylor said, and added that there are indeed some issues that need to be addressed.

Coun. Tess Prendergast thanked the resident for sharing her story. She knows what it is like living in a city where you have to watch for needles before children play.

“And I’m sad that Orangeville is turning into that kind of place,” Prendergast said. “There are people using intravenous drugs and the reality is we need to be more diligent when our kids are playing

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From Mayor Post:

Today, the Ontario Land Tribunal ruled in favour of the Town of Orangeville in the York Street case. And I could not be more proud of our Council team and our community.

From the very beginning, Council made a decision to stand up for York Street, for our history, and for the character of the community people love so deeply. We knew it wouldn’t be easy. We knew there would be pressure to take the easier path. But we also knew that protecting the heart of our community matters.

This decision is about more than one street. It is about the kind of community we want to be. A community that respects its history while planning for the future. A community that understands growth and preservation can coexist. A community that believes local voices deserve to be heard.

Council listened when residents spoke passionately about the importance of York Street. We listened to the people who didn’t want to lose another piece of what makes Orangeville feel like home. And today, that mattered.

I want to thank residents who advocated, participated, wrote letters, attended meetings, and cared enough to speak up. Community advocacy matters.

I also want to thank Council for having the courage to make a difficult decision and stand behind it. Public service is not always about choosing the easiest path - sometimes it is about choosing the right one.

Today is a reminder that being #RootedInCommunity means something. It means protecting the places that tell our story. It means understanding that heritage, identity, and community connection have value. And it means having the courage to stand up for them.

Today, that paid off