by Sylene Argent
Financial support sought for Harrow Community Pantry,
matter referred to Finance Committee
Taylor Gorick, Chairperson and Cofounder of Project HOPE Windsor Essex – a not-for-profit organization that helps others by providing essentials, approached Council to seek financial support for the Harrow Community Pantry.
“With the need in our community significantly increasing, and grocery prices steadily rising, the Pantry is in dire need of funding. Without support in the vey near future, the pantry will be in jeopardy of closing, leaving many of our local families without the help they so desperately need at this time.”
She asked for financial support in the form of any amount.
Project HOPE has applied for the Town of Essex’s Community Partnership Grant, and has also sent letters to local service groups, ran fundraisers, and created partnerships with businesses to collect donations for the Pantry, but there is still a need for further assistance.
In the fall of 2020, with the help of partnership organizations and sponsors, the Harrow Community Pantry was established in the parking lot of the Harrow & Colchester South Community Centre. It houses perishable and non-perishable goods and personal hygiene items for those in need.
It is open via a drive-through model daily, from 7pm to 8pm on weekdays, and 1pm-2pm on the weekends.
“We believe because we are open every day, we are the most accessible food resource in the Windsor-Essex Region,” Gorick said. “Since our start two-years ago, we have witnessed, first-hand, the heart-wrenching food insecurity that exists in our region.”
She said usage of the Pantry has increased by nearly 50 percent since last year, and weekly grocery costs to keep the shelves stocked can fluctuate, but is around $1800.
Last year, around 100 visits to the Pantry took place per month. This year, that has increased to around 145 visits per month. Grocery prices have also risen, and certain items have had to be removed from the list of what they can provide, because they are just too expensive to continue to purchase.
Over 80 percent of those using the Pantry are from Harrow, Essex, Colchester, and McGregor.
The Pantry is operated through donations from the community, and by around 40-hours of volunteer time by around 15 individuals per week.
“We just truly believe that no one in our community should go without life’s basic necessities. No one should be starving. No one should be wanting for food. But we need support to make this happen,” she said.
Councillor Sherry Bondy said she cannot say enough good things about those who contribute to the Harrow Community Pantry in some way. She has heard from the most vulnerable in the community how important it is to go there to pick up essentials, including many items not available through other resources, such as milk, fruit, and vegetables.
She hoped Council would find a way to support the program.
Deputy Mayor Steve Bjorkman said it is important this information makes it out to the public. He suggested the matter be forwarded to the Finance Committee for the Town’s Community Partnership Grant for consideration, and that Town resources be looked into to see if there are other ways the program can be supported.
“What you do for our community is fantastic,” he said.
Councillor Morley Bowman moved the matter be forwarded to the Finance Committee. Council supported the motion.
Lease renewal with 1st Defence Martial Arts approved
Council approved entering into a lease agreement with 1st Defense Martial Arts for leased space at 242 Talbot Street North for a one-year term.
This is subject to an additional two-years, commencing July 1, 2022, and to the general terms and conditions outlined in the agreement.
The lease will require a monthly rate of $688.20, plus applicable taxes, with the Consumer Price Index incorporated on September 1 of each year.
All Canadian Hockey School to operate Harrow Arena concession stand
Council approved entering into a lease agreement with the All Canadian Hockey School for food service and concession operations for a one-year term.
This is subject to an additional two-years, commencing September 1, and to the general terms and conditions as outlined in the agreement.
The All Canadian Hockey School will pay a monthly rate of $40, plus HST, while operating the canteen. Should the All Canadian Hockey School wish to continue the lease after year one, the monthly lease rate would incur changes, matching the yearly Consumer Price Index.
“I am thrilled to see the Harrow Arena canteen stay open,” Councillor Sherry Bondy said. She was appreciative of the previous operator and to see the All Canadian Hockey School step up to provide the service. “I think it is a great fit. He is up stairs teaching the school, and down stairs in the arena.”
Sign advertising agreement at Harrow Arena approved
Council approved a four-year lease, allowing the Erie North Shore Minor Hockey Association to act as an agent to sell sign advertising at the Harrow & Colchester South Community Centre.
The term will commence September 1, 2022, subject to the general terms and conditions.
It was recommended the Erie North Shore Minor Hockey Association and the Town of Essex receive a 50/50 revenue split on all sales.
Chimney repairs to Colchester Schoolhouse approved
Council approved the 2023 capital project “Repairs to Colchester School House Chimney” in the amount of $29,945.
Half of the cost will come from the “Chimney Swift Chimney Restoration Fund,” and the other half will come from the Town’s Asset Management Reserve.
The chimney is beyond its lifecycle and can create a safety issue if it continues to deteriorate.
The report on the matter notes the Town of Essex submitted a grant application for restoration of the chimney at the Colchester Schoolhouse during the spring of 2022. The Town of Essex was approved by Birds Canada under the “Chimney Swift Chimney Restoration Fund.”
Heritage Colchester is responsible for the operations of the Colchester School House; however, it was agreed that the Town of Essex would work with its representatives to ensure budgeting for infrastructure repairs in future years. The Town of Essex has also been working with Heritage Colchester on submission of grants to assist with the costs of infrastructure restoration, the report continues.
Councillor Morley Bowman said the Town will have to support the Colchester Schoolhouse, even though Heritage Colchester is now operating it. He said it was great to see half of the cost for this project funded.
The work has to be completed by February of 2023.
Essex’s reps on County Council keeping eye on Colchester North School Safety Zone
Deputy Mayor Steven Bjorkman said he and Mayor Richard Meloche are following the file pertaining to Essex’s request for a school safety zone at Colchester North Public School.
He said they have been in contact with the County’s Administration on the matter. He said the file is moving forward, but unfortunately, it does not appear it will be complete before the start of the school year.
Essex to recognize National Coaches’ Week
Essex Council received, and further approved, a request from the Coaches Association of Ontario, asking for the week of September 17-25 to be proclaimed as National Coaches’ Week.
The idea is to provide coaches with the recognition they deserve for the time they devote to ensuring Canadians live an active and healthy lifestyle.
Deputy Mayor Steve Bjorkman said everyone has benefited from coaching. He believes it is a tremendous thing to honour them and the hours they devote to being a coach.
NoM: Admin directed to look into costs to roll out FARM 911, the EMILY Project
At the July 18, 2022 meeting, Mayor Richard Meloche put forward a Notice of Motion, for discussion at the August 2 meeting, asking Council to consider asking Administration to prepare a report on FARM 911, the EMILY Project. The report would outline how the Town of Essex could roll out this program for rural residents of the Town of Essex, who wish to have their properties assigned an address sign in order for timely responses in emergency situations.
The report would also include potential costs to implement the program, as well as from where the funding could possibly be sourced.
The idea is that farm accidents can occur in the most remote locations, making it difficult for first responders to easily locate the situation, as not all rural property entrances have signage.
Meloche said this is a project he has been reading about. He said the Town of Tecumseh has recently passed this for its community.
“I think this is something very worthwhile in our community,” he said.
He also spoke of the “What3Words” program, and that this initiative assigns three words to every 3mx3m area in the world, which can be accessed through an app thatand Councillor Sherry Bondy asked that the report also include information about the “What3Words” program. Meloche accepted her suggestion as an addition to the motion.
Motion carried.
Bondy also voiced concerns of ensuring there are enough EMS responders available.
NoM: Council to request County perform safety review of CR 12/15 intersection
At the July 18, 2022 meeting, Mayor Richard Meloche put forward a Notice of Motion, for discussion at the August 2 meeting, asking Essex Council and Administration request the County of Essex perform a review of the intersection at County Road 12 and County Road 15. The hope is that the review would lead to providing better safety controls, at minimum including enlarged stop signs on County Road 15, with perhaps better lighting.
Meloche said there have been a number of accidents at this intersection over the years. His concern is that County Roads have had an increase of traffic volumes over the years.
Council passed his motion.
Councillor Kim Verbeek thanked Meloche for bringing this forward as this intersection is in her Ward. She said it is a troublesome intersection.
In addition, he plans to bring a motion forward at County Council that any intersection where two County Roads cross be reviewed. He also plans to look into the matter, including a suggestion he received from the public regarding neon lights on stop signs, at the upcoming Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, as well.
NoM to be brought forward for Council’s consideration at the August 22 Meeting:
· Councillor Sherry Bondy will ask Essex Council to support creating a policy that amends the practice of verbal requests that stipulates when Town staff serve notices of infractions to residents, the notice must be in writing, referencing the policy violation, by-law infraction, or other issues upon where Town employees request resident cooperation.
· Councillor Sherry Bondy will ask Council to Direct Administration to come back with a comprehensive list of all land lease properties/developments to ensure they have necessary fire prevention and protection, and that Council be provided with reassurance residents living in these private properties have working fire hydrants and a fire plan.