Town of Essex Council meeting notes for May 5, 2025

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative

Q1 2025 build permits down, average house sale prices up compared to Q1 2024

Council received the Building Report and Development Overview for the first quarter of 2025.

When comparing the first quarter of 2025 to the first quarter of 2024, total construction value was down 92.7%.

The total construction value for quarter one of 2025 – including all new and expanding commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential developments that required a building permit – totaled $17,175,600.

The average home sale price in Wards 1 and 2 in the first quarter of 2025 was $563,304, which was significantly higher than the $507,058 recorded in the same timeframe in 2024.  

The average home sale price in Wards 3 and 4 in the first quarter of 2025 was $625,040, which was significantly higher than the $547,131 recorded in the same timeframe in 2024.

Council updated on 2025 Hot Mix Asphalt program

Council received the Capital Works and Asset Management Report “2025 Hot Mix Asphalt Program Update” without any discussion.

David McBeth, Manager of Capital Work & Asset Management, prepared the report that details in an effort to provide cost savings to the Town of Essex through economies of scale, the Town of Essex hot mix paving projects were included on the County of Essex’s Hot Mix Asphalt Tenders for 2025.

The report adds the 2025 approved budget allocated $1,650,000 for the subject works. The current total for the Town of Essex’s portion of the Request for Tender from the County of Essex is $ 1,296,468.19. Additional expenses are also expected for asphalt escalation, and contract administration services provided by the County of Essex.

Along with the concrete repairs work, the anticipated expense for the Hot Mix Asphalt program for 2025 is expected to be approximately $1,405,000. The remaining budget will be allocated to paving Twin Gables Drive in Colchester as part of a watermain replacement project that is to be tendered later this month, the Report to Council notes.

Residents can weigh in on Essex

Town Centre Park design

Essex Council received an update on the design process for Essex Town Centre Park and initiated a public consultation period to gather comments.

Jake Morassut, Director of Community Services, explained as part of the Town’s Parkland Dedication Policy, Essex receives 5% of parkland for development areas.

In 2024, the Town of Essex assumed land in the Essex Town Centre subdivision. Since, Administration has been working with Ron Koudys Landscape Architects to develop a design plan for the park.

“While these initial plans and renderings show potential for the park, public feedback is important,” Morassut notes in the report.

A webpage dedicated to this project will be available until May 31 for residents to provide feedback. The project page can be found by visiting www.essex.ca/park.

  The design for the park has three entrance points. There are benches, concrete pathways, an area with a mix of accessible toddler and children swings, and play equipment. It will also have a water refill station. Some sort of shade structure will be needed.

The report notes the future park was included as part of the Development Charge Study/By-Law, which included $300,000 fully funded through Development Charges allocated toward this project.

This park construction is anticipated to come to Council during the 2026 budget deliberation.

The Youth Council reps suggested a first aid kit and AED device be available onsite.

  Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais would like to see more options for adults, young adults, and seniors. Councillor Kim Verbeek would like to see pollinator gardens.

Appointment of an Engineer under

Section 4 for a new petition drain

Council received and proceeded with the petition for new drainage works as filed by the corporation of 1830143 Ontario Limited for Lots 280 and 281, Concession STR pursuant to Section 4 of the Drainage Act, and directed Administration to notify the petitioners and Essex Region Conservation Authority of the intention to proceed with the construction of new drainage works.

In addition, RC Spencer Associates Inc. was appointed to prepare a report under the Drainage Act through Section 4 to establish new drainage works.

  The Report Notes the parcel requiring drainage is located on Gosfield Townline in Lots 280 and 281, Concession STR. The owner is looking to establish a legal storm outlet to proceed with developing this property.

It is anticipated that the cost will be fully borne by the property owner requesting the drainage works, however, that can not be confirmed until the Drainage Act process has been completed.

New appointment to BIA

Essex Council approved the Essex Centre BIA’s recommendation to appoint Josh Girard, owner and operator of Josh’s NoFrills, as a member of the Board of Directors for the Essex Centre BIA.

NoM: Mayor requested to provide rationale

for use of Strong Mayor Powers

Council passed Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley’s Notice of Motion that anytime the mayor chooses to use the Strong Mayor Powers otherwise than to approve By-Laws or to effectively delegate or forfeit those Strong Mayor Powers, Administration shall request from the mayor the rationale for the use of such powers. Members of Council would then be notified of the mayor’s response within two business days of such use of the Strong Mayor Powers.

He presented this as a Notice of Motion at the April 22 meeting.

Seeing as Strong Mayor Powers is new, and even though the Essex Mayor does not intend to use them, Shepley believes this will help Council and the public to understand why they were used, if used.

Joe Malandruccolo, Director of Legal and Legislative Services, noted the Town cannot require the mayor to do so, so he suggested it be “requested” instead of “required.” The amendment to the motion was made.

NoM: Town to work with BIA, Chamber on anti-bullying and respectful workplace signage

Council passed Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais’s Notice of Motion to direct Administration to prepare anti-bullying and respectful workplace signage for distribution to commercial businesses, in collaboration with the Essex Centre BIA and the Harrow & Colchester South Chamber of Commerce.

She presented this as a Notice of Motion at the April 22 meeting.

She believes it is important for Council to be leaders in the community that bullying or disrespectful behaviour will not be tolerated.

NoM: cost-estimate to be prepared for sidewalk along Grondin/Arquette in McGregor

Council passed Councillor Kim Verbeek’s Notice of Motion to have Administration prepare a cost estimate to be included as part of the 2026 Budget deliberations to install a sidewalk along Grondin/Arquette in McGregor, from Sainte-Ursule Elementary School to the 11th Concession. That would be to facilitate the safe passage of students and pedestrians to and from school.

She presented this as a Notice of Motion at the April 22 meeting.

This idea was brought to her by a resident. Verbeek noted there is a big development at Parnell Street, and there is already an increase in traffic which may continue to grow.

Notice of Motion to be considered

at the May 20 meeting

Councillor Kim Verbeek will ask Council to consider directing administration to create a report considering the installation of a Community Safety Zone on Grondin Street, near Sainte-Ursule Elementary School, in McGregor. This has to do with an increase in traffic, due to the development on Parnell Street.

By-Law to sell all of the Shares

of E.L.K. Energy Inc. passed

Council passed By-Law 2444 to enter into an agreement to sell all of the shares of E.L.K. Energy Inc. and E.L.K. Solutions Inc.

The announcement of the sale was made in March.

In a recorded vote, the by-law unanimously supported.

For more Town of Essex Council news, look for the articles, “Essex Council asks for report to consider implementing Municipal Accommodation Tax” and “Essex Council updating Delegation of Authority By-Law.”