"Council is very close to engineering a swap with local developer Michael Orsi which could save the town almost $20,000, The Witness learned this week. Mayor Joe Magani presented council with a draft agreement prepared by the developer and submitted for council's consideration. The proposed agreement calls for the town to trade three-quarters of an acre of land at the north end of Dissette Street, and to cancel a $7,500 debt in the developer's name. Mr. Orsi will, in return, undertake to pace an additional 2,000 feet of Dissette Street from Dominion Farms north."

Description : Bradford West Gwillimbury Council met in closed-door session on April 10th, and voted to accept the "conveyance" of a 6 acre parcel of land on Holland St. West (S. half lot 11, Con. 7) from developer Mod-Aire Homes Ltd. It is considered a "conveyance", and not a gift, because there is a condition attached; that should the property be used for a new Administration Centre, a 3' by 5' plaque is to be installed in the new building, in recognition of the parents Mod-Aire principal, Mike Orsi.

Description : Calling it the "single biggest issue or event that's come to Council, as far as having positive impact," Councillor Marty Toombs announced a gift of property to the municipality by Mike Orsi, principal of Mod-Aire Homes Ltd. A committee comprised of Toombs, Councillor Ron Simpson and Mayor Frank Jonkman had apparently approached a number of developers regarding a possible acquisition of land for a new civic centre. The Town is conducting a Consolidation Study, looking at the feasibility of bringing all Town departments under one roof. To their surprise, Orsi offered to hand over the deed to 6 acres fronting on County Road 88, just east of the former Mod-Aire offices, which were destroyed by fire. There are two conditions. The Town can't sell the property, but is free to "exchange" it for other lands closer to the centre of town, if desired. "I think his entire goal was to start a new relationship with the people in town," said Toombs.

"Construction has begun on the third phase of Britannia Heights, which will run north to the 8th Concession. About 135 homes under the Mod-Aire and Patrician Homes name will make up the new subdivisions. Construction crews are installing pipeline to provide the services for the new homes."

Article in a special edition of the Bradford Witness (its 100th anniversary) based on the history of the Holland Marsh.