General

As the holiday season approaches, Elgin County is wrapping up the year with festive spirit and exciting updates, including the launch of our brand-new Holiday Gift Guide. From a special business-themed rendition of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas and highlights from our Cultivating Success in Small Towns Fall Event to important infrastructure updates, new business spotlights, and milestone anniversaries worth celebrating, this edition shines a light on the achievements that make our region strong. We are grateful for the dedication and resilience of our local business community as we look ahead to a bright and prosperous new year.

For more information, check out the new Economic Development Website.

The Municipality of Bayham office will be closed over the holidays from Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at 12pm and reopens Friday, January 2, 2026 at 8:30am for regular business hours.

For any roads, water or sewer emergencies, please call our after-hours answering service at 519-435-6454.

On behalf of council and staff, we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday!

December 18, 2025 - Long Point Region Conservation Authority issued a Shoreline Conditions Statement - Water Safety for the entire Lake Erie shoreline within its jurisdiction. Residents are urged to exercise caution and avoid areas along the Lake Erie shoreline. See the NOTICE for more information. 

The Municipality, together with A-Link Architecture and PK Construction, will begin major renovations to the Straffordville Community Centre starting December 2025.

Initial work will include:

• Site preparations (fencing and construction site office)
• Removal of the existing canteen
• Foundation preparation

As we move into the new year, construction will shift to structural components of the new facility. Renovations will continue through Summer of 2026, with completion expected in Fall 2026.

Access During Construction

• The Municipal Office and Trackless Lounge will remain open.
• The Main Hall will be closed for the full duration of renovations.
• Access to the cement pad will be restricted, with construction fencing extending to Old Chapel St.

Construction Traffic

Construction vehicles will primarily use Old Chapel St. as their entry route, with limited access through the Municipal Parking Lot when required.

Considering running for Council 2026?

Whether it’s your first time, or you’re running for re-election – strong communities start with strong local leaders!

Check out AMO’s new FREE online workshop series - Stronger leaders, Stronger Communities. This workshop series will provide you with the tools you need to lead with purpose, handle conflict, protect your wellbeing, and build genuine community support.

There are two streams – one for elected officials considering re-election and for first-time candidates exploring a run.

The series consists of 4 sessions (Nov 2025-Apr 2026), with one workshop per month in the evening from 6:30-8:30pm

To learn more & register, please visit the AMO website.

The dune restoration work completed at the Port Burwell East Beach on November 5, 2025, formed part of the North Shore Resilience Action Plan, which focuses on restoring and enhancing dune systems along the North Shore of Lake Erie. This multi-phase initiative spans from Long Point to Port Glasgow.

As part of this project, municipal staff worked alongside community volunteers and representatives from the Long Point Biosphere to complete significant restoration planting, including:

• 200 native beach grass plants
• 150 little bluestem plants
• 200 switchgrass plants
• 7 cottonwood trees
• 8 cedar trees

In addition to the plantings, staff installed fencing, with posts and rope to be added as a future boundary marker. The area will be designated with Sensitive Area signage to protect the restoration zone as it establishes.

Further information about this initiative can be found on the North Shore Resilience website.

As part of the Hydro One Vegetation Management Plan, they will be removing hazardous brush and vegetation through the next several months from road allowances and private lands.

The project is expected to start in the Fall/Winter 2025 – 2026 and could continue into Spring 2026.

All brush will be removed except the larger trunks, which will have to be removed by the Municipality. 

Hydro has been advised to remove all branches on the day of clearing and not create piles on the roadside or private property. 

The blue line in the MAP shows what areas will be completed during this time.

Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday, November 2, 2025.

Remember to change your clocks back 1 hour.

Also, change the batteries in all your Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors.

The 2026 Garbage Bag Tag Kits are now available for pick up at the Municipal Office during regular business hours.

Please be advised of important NEW changes to the 2026 Bayham Garbage Bag Tag Program, which will take effect on January 1, 2026.

For more information, please see the informational inserts in your new 2026 Garbage Bag Tag Kit, or visit our Garbage & Recycling page on our website.

Leaf and yard waste is collected curbside in urban areas throughout Bayham over a 4 week period in both the Spring and Fall, on Mondays, unless otherwise noted.

2025 Fall Dates: Mondays, starting October 20, 27 and November 3, 10, 2025

All leaf and yard waste must be placed at the curb by 7:00 am, in either paper bags, open reusable containers, or bundled in lengths not exceeding 4 ft. All individual containers must weigh less than 22 kilograms (48 pounds). Leaf and yard waste items do not require a bag tag.

Please visit our website on the Garbage & Recycling page for more information.