Additional Town of Essex Council Notes for Monday, October 20, 2025

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative

10-minute parking on King Street

to be become two-hour limits

A majority of the Town of Essex Council voted to extend the ten-minute parking on King Street in Harrow, near the Post Office, to two-hours, after hearing concerns from Rob Duncan, Owner and Operator of Canadel.

  “Parking is pretty deficient in Harrow,” he told members of Council at the October 20 meeting. When the stoplight was put in, he said around half a block of parking was lost to accommodate the infrastructure.

  He said his family has had a business at 27 King Street West since 1966, and over the years they have witnessed a lot of changes; some good, some challenging.

  Now, his business is running into a fair bit of 10-minute parking limits on the north-side of King Street, right across from his location.

  “What I see on a daily basis is open spaces there and people having to park farther down the street,” Duncan said, noting it is around 180-feet between the end of the 10-minute parking spots and the first of the two-hour parking spots. He believes of the 18 parking spots on King Street West, five appear to be designated as 10-minute parking spots.

  “I see a lot of people park farther down, then walk back toward our business, toward other businesses, unnecessarily,” Duncan explained, adding some may take their chances parking in the 10-minute zones. He often gets asked by out-of-town shoppers if they will be okay to park in those spaces.

  He does not believe 10-minute parking spots are standard on the main street.

  “I find it a very unwelcoming look to the town, especially after the streetscaping that took place,” Duncan said. “People came into the store and, probably 90 to 95% of my business is out-of-towners, so they come in, they've seen the streetscaping. If they've been to Harrow before, they've mentioned how nice it's looking. And then we put up an unwelcome sign of 10-minutes only.”

  He believes that it sends a message of “don’t hang around” to visitors.

  Mayor Sherry Bondy agreed with Duncan in that the 10-minute parking needs to be reviewed.

  As a business owner, Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley agreed that parking is everything.

  “I can completely relate,” Shepley said. “I could see how that could be very problematic. I think there needs to be some sort of a limit…but 10-minutes is probably too short for your customers.”

  He agreed with Duncan when he noted those who may not be from town may not know where they can park off the main road.

  Shepley would be in some sort of support that would be of help.

  In answering Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais’s question on the need for five 10-minute parking spaces, Director of Infrastructure, Kevin Girard, said the Town by-law requires the 10-minute spaces be located from the entrance of the parking lot to the eastern limit of the Post Office. That happens to work out to five parking spaces.

  Councillor Joe Garron agreed the situation should be looked at.

  Councillor Jason Matyi said he was surprised after the Harrow Streetscape was completed a few years back the number of complaints that came in. He suspects many didn’t realize they were 10-minute limit spots to begin with, until the new signs went up.

  Councillor Kim Verbeek made the motion to remove the 10-minute parking limits, and replace them with two-hour limits – an addition Shepley added – which she believes would support the businesses in the area. The individuals who are using the Post Office are locals, and they can use the municipal parking lot that's right there.

  The By-Law will have to be amended to come back to Council for final approval.

  She added that if there is a problem in the future, Council could consider looking at putting 10-minute parking in that municipal lot.

  Girard recommended drafting a report on the matter first.

  McGuire-Blais believed the entirety of the parking situation should be looked at, and thought Council was jumping the gun on the matter to ensure they are not creating a different issue. She voted against the motion.

Expanding winter control to

include snow in front of businesses could

result in 2.3% to 4.95% tax increase

Essex Council only received a report regarding winter control on sidewalks in the downtown cores at the October 20 meeting, and will place it on the Town website so it is viewable for residents who want to see the details.

  Norm Nussio, Manager of Operations and Drainage, created the report following Council’s direction at the January 18 meeting. At the time, Council supported Mayor Sherry Bondy’s motion to detail the Town’s current winter control service level for downtown core areas, provide an overview of the winter control By-law in terms of responsibilities of businesses in relation to snow removal in front of their properties, and any potential gaps or challenges associated with the enforcement of those responsibilities.  

  Nussio outlined the Town contracts winter control services for the downtown cores by using the minimum maintenance standards to develop a scope of work for tendering purposes. The standard states to clear a one-meter pathway and reduce the snow depth to no less than eight-centimeters within 48-hours of accumulation stopping and remove ice accumulation within 24-hours.

  For 2023 and 2024, Nussio said the winter was milder. Between 45 and 49 calls were established for salting or plowing. In 2025, there were 76 calls, not including this year’s November and December, which still need to take place.

  The estimated costs for these calls were approximately $66,000 to $105,000 per year, Nussio outlined.

  He said the Town worked with the current contractor to develop pricing for two additional services: one being to clear the standard one-meter pathway in front of businesses and cleaning pathways to each parking space; the other option was to do the standard one-meter pathway and to clear just in front of the buildings, not including the walkway, to parking spaces.

  The estimate came in at around $4,500 to $6,500 per call out for Essex Centre and Harrow.

  Based on the average calls of 45 to 76 per year, that would be an additional cost of $637,000 to $990,000 to the Town’s Operation Budget annually, translating to an estimated tax increase of 2.3% to 4.95%.

  Due to that, at this time, Town administration was not recommending any changes to its current level of service.  

  Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley appreciated the report and supported staying status quo.

  Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais, who is the Council Liaison for the Essex Centre BIA, said downtown Essex Centre businesses are willing to clear the snow in front of their business. The question was, where do they put the snow, as there are no longer curbs. She believes there needs to be a plan to let people know what to do with the snow once it has been shoveled.

  Nussio recommended business owners use the same wind row the winter control contractors are using. That area would be around where the flowerpots and tree wells are located.

  McGuire-Blais would like some messaging to be put out to businesses regarding those best practices.

  Mayor Sherry Bondy would also like to see that messaging put out, and that this report be available for viewing on essex.ca, so it can be referenced to those who want an increase in service level and what it would mean in tax dollars.

  She thought it would be neat to discuss potentially talking at budget time of providing a shovel and a flyer with information to businesses regarding their winter control responsibilities.

 Council Chambers audio-visual equipment awarded for $127K

Council awarded the design, supply, and install of audio-visual equipment for the Council Chambers to Matrix Video Communications Corporation in the amount of $127,188.81, including non-refundable Harmonized Sales Tax.

  Jack Barron, Manager of IT, explained the equipment will be designed for the Council Chambers being built as part of the Municipal Hall expansion.

  The tender includes an overflow screen in the hallway. Everything will be built into cabinets. The existing equipment will be reused as much as possible as the current Council Chambers will be used as a meeting room.

  CAO Kate Giurissevich added the technology will timestamp the meetings, making it easier for residents to find specific matters being discussed through eScribe.

  Councillor Jason Mayti and Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley applauded the ability to vote electronically, which can outline how members voted.

Accident Rates at the corner of County Road 11 and Concession Road 11

Council received a report regarding accident rates at the corner of County Road 11 (Walker Road) and Concession Road 11, for information.

  Council previously requested the review of this intersection.

  The County of Essex and the Town of Essex have discussed this intersection and accessed five-years of collision date, Kevin Girard, Director of Infrastructure Services, explained.

  Between 2020 and 2024, there were seven reported collisions at the intersection. In 2024, one of the collisions was contributed to not obeying traffic control, the same reason for both collisions in 2023. In 2022, there were three collisions involving too fast for snow conditions, driving too closely, and one animal strike. In 2021, the collision was contributed to not obeying traffic control. There were no collisions in 2020.

  That leaves an average of one or two collisions at the intersection per year, Girard outlined, with the majority related to drivers failing to stop or yield appropriately at the stop control approaches on Concession 11.

  “From an engineering perspective, this pattern suggests that the intersection’s geometry and sightlines are not the primary cause. Instead, it points to driver behavior on Walker Road as contributing factors,” Girard said.

  Town staff has inspected the site. Signage and pavement markings are in good condition and sightlines are adequate. In addition, this intersection was not listed as a priority intersection for safety improvements through the County's Road Safety Management program, and would, therefore, not currently meet County warrants for additional control, such as an all-way stop or signalization.

  “Based on current collision frequency and traffic volumes, at this time the intersection is considered to be operating safely with rural standards, but it will be monitored by the Town and County as traffic volumes evolve,” Girard added.

  Councillor Kim Verbeek asked for the report via email, as she knows she will hear from residents who have voiced concerns about the intersection wanting the information.

 Sale of 36 Queen Street and a portion of 25 Queen Street approved

Council confirmed the authority provided in closed session to enter into a binding agreement of purchase and sale of 36 Queen Street and a portion of 25 Queen Street in Harrow, and further passed By-Law 2489 to dispose of surplus lands.

  Director of Legal and Legislative Services, Joe Malandruccolo, noted Council declared the two properties as surplus last month. He added that in closed session, Council approved an agreement of purchase and sale. This will allow the Town to remove conditions of the two properties and allow the agreement of purchase and sale to be unconditional, so the sale can move forward.

  There were some concerns about parking in the area. By-Law did look into it and noted of the 18 parking spots, an average of eight spots were used in a period of a week-and-a-half, Malandruccolo added.

 Essex receives report re: County of Essex Development Charges

Essex Council received a report from the Development Services Department regarding the County of Essex’s Development Charges (DCs) in terms of the potential impact and opportunities to the Town of Essex.

  The County is looking to impose fees on developers to pay for growth-related capital costs to new home or commercial builds for County services – such as EMS, Library, and County Roads – to developers.

  These fees would be separate from DCs the seven local municipalities are already charging for their own services. The County has never had a DC charge. If the County passes it, it could add a fee of $12,500 for a single or semi-detached home, $7600 for multiple-dwelling units, and $6,675 for other residential units. The maximum DC fee for non-residential is $46.35 per square-meter, most of which is related to roads.

  Back in June, Essex Council requested this report be created before County Council – composed of the Mayors and Deputy Mayors of the seven local municipalities – makes its final decision.

  The Draft County DC By-Law proposed a four-year phased-in approach, starting in January of 2027.

  Lori Chadwick, Director of Development Services for the Town of Essex, prepared the report, which notes the County DC Background Study identified an extensive list of County capital projects forecasted over the planning period that would be required due to the forecasted growth.

  The Town has sent a letter to the County suggesting that a Local Service Policy be considered to provide clarity to the local municipalities for projects eligible or ineligible for County DCs, to be paid directly by a developer, or to be paid by the local municipality.

  Benefits Chadwick outlines include: that DCs recover capital expenditures that are required arising from new growth, ensures the financial burden of growth-related capital works is borne by new development, and strengthens the ability to maintain or expand County services.

  Potential impacts include: possible reduction to housing affordability by increasing the overall cost of new homes, if the cost of DCs is passed onto new homeowners; and that developers suggest that if DCs are significant, particularly where both upper and lower tier DCs exist, they can be a growth deterrent.

 Loan programs for Skeates Drain, Septic System approved

Council directed Administration to move forward with finalizing the Skeates Drain Septic System Installation Assistance Loan Program.

  It also passed a By-Law to Authorize the Town of Essex Septic System Installation Assistance Loan Program and the undertaking of septic system installation on private residential property as Local improvements.

  The Report to Council notes this will provide one of several funding vehicles for residents with properties abutting the Skeates Drain. The report notes residents are required to remedy faulty septic systems in accordance with Provincial Officer’s orders issued against the Town of Essex by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks.

 Process being implemented for overnight parking at Essex and Harrow arenas

The Town of Essex is looking to accommodate overnight parking at the Essex Centre Sports Complex and the Harrow and Colchester South Community Centre through a permit process.

At the October 20 regular meeting, Essex Council directed Administration to implement a process for overnight parking at the two arenas, which includes a permit process, the addition of signage to the parking lots, and the addition of the regulations as part of the future revised Parking By-Law.

  Back in August, Council supported Mayor Sherry Bondy’s motion to direct Administration to investigate options and locations for overnight vehicle parking to accommodate cycle tourism, for example when cyclists come to the municipality/region and need to park for multiple days.

  This process gives the Town the ability to gather contact information of those parking, so if there is an issue, like if there was an event and their vehicle was in the way, they can be contacted, Director of Community Services, Jake Morassut, told Essex Council.

  Overnight parking at the arenas is already permitted, but a proper process was needed to be put in place. Typically, those parking at the arena are traveling with hockey teams when they go out of town.  

Typically, vehicles are not seen at the arena for overnight parking for more than two-days.

  When an individual applies for a permit, it would go to the By-Law and Facilities team, so staff can screen the information and ensure there are no issues.

  In answering Councillor Joe Garon’s question about designated areas, Morassut noted that it would almost advertise vehicles that are parked overnight and would draw attention to that. Staff are suggesting those who do seek a permit to park at an arena overnight, park close to the building where there are security cameras.

  Morassut foresees permits being for two-three days, but longer duration requests can be considered and evaluated.

  Bondy hopes some marketing can take place this spring to urge visitors to “park and cycle all around Essex.”

  This does have to be collaborated with the future Parking By-Law. Once that is in place, signage can be added.

  This program should be ready for next spring.

Unifor Local 444 requests flag raising for Transgender Day of Remembrance

Essex Council moved a request to raise a flag at the Essex Municipal Building for Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 16, 2025.

  The request came from Unifor Local 444 LGBTQ Committee.

Notices of Motion to be brought forward for Council's consideration at the November 3 meeting:

• Councillor Jason Matyi will ask Council to direct Administration to prepare a report describing how new development projects are assessed for drainage impacts and outline any recommendations on policy or process updates, such as changes to the Town’s Development Standards Manual, Official Plan policies, or subdivision condition, to make these protections a consistent requirement for all new developments town-wide.

• Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais will ask Council to direct administration to prepare a report to evaluate existing and potential time limitations for on-street parking within the Essex Centre downtown core that includes community feedback from Essex residents and businesses. The Essex Centre BIA is requesting Town Council commission an on-street parking report.