From Mayor Dave’s Desk: September 2025 Newsletter

September Newsletter Video - YouTube

This month, Mayor Dave provides updates on the Uxbridge-Scugog Animal Shelter, wedding and marriage services at Town Hall, developments in the downtown area, and answers questions from residents. 

*Correction: Mayor Barton's reference to Uxbridge and Scugog Councils’ approval for funding early site work should state $170,000, not $160,000 as mentioned in the video 

Mayor, Dave Barton: 

I’d love to hear from you! If you have questions about local issues, upcoming events, or anything else on your mind, send them my way. Just email mayor@uxbridge.ca with the subject line "Mayor's Q&A." If your question is for a specific councillor, I'm happy to have them join the next video segment as well! I’ll be answering selected questions in a video next month. Looking forward to your submissions. Let’s keep the conversation going! 

Regional Councillor, Bruce Garrod: 

September was the busy month I was expecting.  

As the Vice-Chair of the Durham Region Transit Executive Committee I had the opportunity to lead the meeting where we reviewed Region-wide seasonal route changes that better accommodate students throughout the Region.  Next month I will be bringing forward a motion to protect the availability of on-demand transit service that is available throughout Uxbridge Township.  Residents in the rural and urban areas are encouraged to join the growing ridership that provides convenient connection to fixed-routes and local destinations.  To learn more, I encourage you to do a Google search of “Uxbridge on demand transit” 

I’m also Vice-Chair of the Regional Finance and Administration committee. September’s meeting focused on items ranging from the Region’s progress on implementing its Accessibility and EDI strategies, as well as Regional Development charges. We are awaiting a Provincial announcement on how DC’s will be managed in the future. 

I also represented our Township, and all of Regional Council, at the quarterly 911 Management Board Meeting, participated in two very lengthy Regional Council meetings as well as the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority (LSRCA) board meeting.  We learned at one of the Regional Council meetings that auto theft in the Region is down approximately 30%, however it’s recognized efforts need to continue to dissuade this property crime. 

Thankfully I was able to include a quick but memorable personal trip to both the North West Territories and Yukon.  Both locations are beautiful but travel always reminds me why I love living in Uxbridge. 

Ward 1 Councillor, Pam Beach: 

Ward 1 Road Construction Update

Improvements to the roads in Ward 1 continue as scheduled.  Concession 2 and Webb Rd. have been pulverized and  paving will commence in two weeks. 

The Siloam Bridge replacement is well underway. Both abutments have been poured and construction of the deck is expected in the coming weeks . The project is anticipated to be complete by the end of fall. 

November (Date TBD) Photos with Santa 
Get ready to kick off the holiday season with a special visit from Santa Claus. Families and even pets will have the chance to meet Santa and capture a festive photo to remember. The exact date, location, and booking details will be announced soon, so stay tuned! 

Ward 2 Councillor, Gord Shreeve: 

The leaves in Ward 2 are changing into some beautiful colours, as autumn arrives! At the same time, some very appealing special events are happening, beginning this Saturday September 27 when the Zephyr Lions will be hosting their Autumn Market. 

Next on the must attend list are several events brought to the community by the dedicated members of the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society,  held at the historic Leaskdale Church. There are two more JAZZ in Leaskdale evenings on October 3 and November 7 at 7:30 pm with admission by donation. Don't miss out on the early bird deadline (September 30) to purchase tickets for this year's L.M.M. Days 2025 taking place on October 25 and 26. For further information, please visit the website at: lucymaudmontgomery.ca

October is almost here and so is this fall's Yuk Yuk's Comedy Night, along with a Dance Party on Saturday October 18 at the Zephyr Community Centre. To reserve your tickets, contact the Community Association at: zephyrhallboard@gmail.com

Ward 3 Councillor, Zed Pickering: 

Welcome to a beautiful autumn in Uxbridge! As the leaves turn and the air gets crisp, we’re embracing the vibrant energy of fall here in Uxbridge. It’s the perfect time to get outside, connect with neighbours, and enjoy everything our community has to offer. 

I’d like to take a moment to highlight some exciting upcoming events you won’t want to miss: 

October 4 – Guided Trail Walk 
Join in for a scenic stroll through one of Uxbridge’s beautiful trails. Breathe in the fresh autumn air and take in the fall colours. Contact Events@uxbridge.ca for more information. 

At the Uxbridge Farmers' Market 

October 4 – Paw-palooza at the Uxbridge Farmers’ Market 
This is going to be pawsome! 

October 19 – Annual Pumpkin Festival at the Farmers’ Market 
Celebrate the season with pumpkins, family fun, and festive treats. Always a favourite. 
And don’t forget — the Uxbridge Farmers’ Market will also be hosting Trick-or-Treat festivities later in the month. Be sure to check out their social media or visit uxbridgefarmersmarket.com for all the details. 

The Uxbridge BIA hosts! 

October 23 – BIA Ladies Night 
Gather your friends for a night of shopping, laughs, and local fun. A great way to support Uxbridge businesses. 

October 25 – Spooky Saturday 
Get into the Halloween spirit with costumes, candy, and spooky surprises around town. 

A Note on the Uxbridge Seniors Centre 

There’s so much happening at the Uxbridge Seniors Centre. The Uxbridge Senior Citizens Club does a fantastic job organizing events and activities. From workshops to socials, there's always something going on. VisitUxbridgeSeniors.com to see everything they have planned. 

Let’s make the most of this beautiful season together — see you out there! 

Ward 4 Councillor, Willie Popp: 

I had the pleasure of attending the annual Durham Accessibility Awards Night on September 22nd in Ajax, an inspiring evening recognizing individuals and organizations making meaningful strides in accessibility across the region. 

The Uxbridge Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) proudly showcased its 2025 accomplishments at the event. Award recipients included Sunlake Dental, the Township of Uxbridge’s official nominee, recognized for accessibility improvements made during a recent renovation. Niko Pupella, a long-time Uxbridge resident, crossing guard, and former AAC member, was also honoured for his contributions. 

Several infrastructure projects are steadily progressing throughout the Township. 

Mill Street Project Update:

On Mill Street, work continues to move forward. Curb installation has been completed, and sidewalk repairs are scheduled to begin early next week. Once that is complete, base course asphalt paving is planned for the end of the week, paving the way—literally—for final surfacing and project completion. We appreciate everyone’s patience during this process and are excited to deliver a safer, more accessible Mill Street for all. 

South Balsam Stormwater Pond Update: 
Work is progressing well on the South Balsam Stormwater Pond. Liners have been successfully installed in both the forebay and the wet cell. Backfilling of the forebay is complete, and crews are currently working on backfilling the wet cell. Once backfilling of the wet cell is finished, the next phase will include construction of the walkways and site restoration, including landscaping throughout the area. 

Cemetery Road Project Update:
Cemetery Road project is also advancing well. Curbs were poured earlier this week. The sidewalk is being formed and is scheduled to be poured early next week. Topsoil is currently being placed on the north side of the road in preparation for sodding. Once the sidewalk is completed, the road base will be brought up to grade, and the base course asphalt will be scheduled. 

Thank you for your continued cooperation as we invest in long-term improvements that benefit the entire community. 

Lastly, it’s almost time for the annual Uxbridge Santa Claus Parade, taking place on November 15th along Brock Street. The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. Registration is now open for those interested in participating, whether entering a float or joining as a walking entry. Everyone is welcome. Register today at www.uxbridge.ca/parade. Stay tuned for more information on sponsorship opportunities! 

Ward 5 Councillor, Todd Snooks: 

I would start by congratulating and saying thank you to the Artists of Uxbridge for an amazing display of art this past weekend with the outstanding Studio Art Tour that showcased an incredible number of artists in their studio settings across our entire township, and for Art on the Fringe held on the grounds of Uxbridge Historical Centre (Museum) grounds. 

We are incredibly blessed to have so much outstanding talent here in Uxbridge.   

A huge thank you to the Hospital Auxiliary Team for the Fall Mums Fundraiser –thank you to all those who purchased in support of the new hospital.  The porches and front entry ways of so many homes throughout Uxbridge look amazing with the mums on display! 

As the Chair of Planning and Development I want to ensure I take this opportunity to provide residents with upcoming Public Planning meetings.   

The Planning Committee of the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Uxbridge is holding a Statutory Public Planning Meeting on October 20, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. in a hybrid format.

Materials submitted in support of the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment is available for public viewing on the Township’s website.

Lastly a reminder of the Rotary Club’s upcoming tree planting events at Fields of Uxbridge and King Street Parkette. Ward 5’s King Street Parkette tree planting of the 3 pocket forests will be taking place on Saturday October25, 2025 from 9am till noon.  Click on the registration links below to let them know you are coming out. I look forward to seeing everyone there! 

Pocket Forests Tree Planting @ King Street Parkette - Oct 25, 2025

Mini Forest 2.0 Tree planting @ Fields of Uxbridge - November 1, 2025

As always keep an eye on Discover Uxbridge for events and happenings! 

The Townships of Uxbridge and Scugog are pleased to provide a project update as the new Animal Shelter moves into its next phase. Following a previous announcement, both Councils have now approved a report that outlines the construction strategy and authorizes the start of critical early-site work. Learn more by visiting www.uxbridge.ca/news

Volunteers Needed! 

The next phase of the Pocket & Mini Forest projects are here – and we need your help to plant! 

Two planting days are approaching. Join us for one or both and be part of growing a greener Uxbridge. 

Event 1: King Street Parkette - Pocket Forests 
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025 
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 
Location: King Street Parkette, 233 King Street West 
Parking: Free parking available at Uxbridge Arena, 291 Brock Street West 
Register:https://bit.ly/4ny7YhR

Event 2: Fields of Uxbridge – Mini Forest 2.0
Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 
Location: Fields of Uxbridge, 335 Durham Regional Road 1 
Parking: Free parking available at 721 Ball Road 
Register:https://bit.ly/3VPKQzA

Questions? Email: trails@uxbridge.ca

You’re invited to the 2025 Active Living Fair for Adults 55+ 

Date: Friday, October 3, 2025 
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 
Location: Uxbridge Seniors Centre (75 Marietta Street) 
This free community event is your opportunity to discover new ways to stay active, healthy, and connected in Uxbridge. 

Learn more by visiting www.uxbridge.ca/news

Bring the whole family and join the Uxbridge Fire Department for an exciting Open House! 

Date: Sunday, October 5th 
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM 
Location: Uxbridge Fire Hall 

What to Expect: 

Come learn about fire safety, and experience what it’s like to be a firefighter. Great for kids, families, and anyone curious about our community heroes! 

Admission is free – everyone is welcome! 

The Communi-Tea Program returns and operates weekly on Mondays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Senior Centre (75 Marietta St.), supported by the Age-Friendly Committee. 

This drop-in, self-serve program offers older adults a welcoming space to connect with neighbours while enjoying coffee, tea, and a treat. Additionally, the program serves as a valuable platform for sharing important resources, including Age-Friendly survey results, fire safety information, and details about other recreational and community programs. Participants are welcome to drop in at any time during program hours. 

The Township of Uxbridge is pleased to announce that Site Alteration (Fill) Permit Applications are now available online through Cloudpermit, the Township’s e-permitting platform. Learn more about this modernization by visiting www.uxbridge.ca/news

Get ready for a month full of fun, creativity, and a touch of spooky magic! Mark your calendars for these exciting events happening this October: 

USHS Speaker Series: Walter Campbell

Date: Wednesday, October 22nd 
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 
Location: Uxbridge Historical Centre, 7239 Concession 6 

FRIGHT NITE

Date: Friday, October 25th 
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 

Location: Uxbridge Historical Centre, 7239 Concession 6, 

Want to help out behind the scenes? 
We're looking for volunteers to help make FRIGHT NITE a scream-worthy success! 
Email us at Museum@uxbridge.ca to get involved. 

Summer may be coming to a close, but the Library’s programs are still going strong! Be sure to check out our upcoming events, workshops, and activities by clicking here.