Oxford town council news

Dual-stream recycling

The Town of Oxford approved the first reading of an amendment to its solid-waste bylaw at its Mar. 19 regular meeting, making way for dual-stream recycling.

Cumberland County communities are being asked by the Cumberland Joint Services Management Authority to amend their bylaws to enforce separating recyclable goods into two categories: container recyclables and fibre recyclables. If approved, Oxford residents will be responsible for sorting plastics, aluminum cans, plastic bags, milk cartons and the like into one category and newsprint, magazines, cardboard, and general paper goods into another category.

The amendment now goes to a second reading before consideration for final approval.

Not quite the wild blueberry capital yet

The Town of Oxford, long considered the blueberry capital of the world, is making in-roads to establish itself as the wild blueberry capital of the road. Neither, however, are set in stone until they are trademarked.

Coun. Rick Draper reported without a legal trademark, any community who beats them to the chase could legally establish themselves as the wild blueberry capital of the world and recommended the town hire a trademark lawyer to tie up this loose end.

“It doesn’t cost a lot, but if someone trademarked it before Oxford, we could lose it,” Draper said.

While the town is transitioning towards being the ‘wild blueberry’ capital, it was suggested the town look at the cost of both titles.

Competitive on and off the ice  

The Town of Oxford has lowered its rates on renting the community arena to competitive levels.

The cost of renting the arena is now $100/hr during the ice season, plus HST, while during the off season it can be rented for $300 a day, or $500 a weekend.

This marks the second time in recent years the town lowered its rates to keep them below neighbouring communities in an effort to attract more business.

So long, strawberry

This summer marks the fifth and final year of the popular Strawberry Trail and Road Race.

Coun. Dawn Thompson reported the race that drew more than 130 participants last summer will rebrand itself as a blueberry-themed run.

Blueberry festival

The date has been set for this year’s blueberry festival.

Beginning Aug. 18 and running to Sept. 1, organizers are placing to have one recreation event every day the community’s blueberry festival runs.
Adding to the festival will be the Cumberland County Exhibition, which will celebrate its 100th year of operation with a ‘trip down memory lane’ theme.