by Sylene Argent
Development overview for 2022 shows 80.2% increase from 2021
Essex Council received the development overview for the year 2022. It shows the total construction value for 2022 – including all new and expanding commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential developments that required a building permit – totalled $194,755,600.
This is an 80.2% increase from 2021.
In addition, the report notes the average home in Wards 1 and 2 sold for $573,116 in 2022, which was up from the $504,236 recorded in 2021. The average home in Wards 3 and 4 sold for $583,666 in 2022, which was up from the $539,594 recorded in 2021.
In 2022, 180 single-dwelling home permits were issued; of which 139 were for Ward 1, six were for Ward 2, 23 were for Ward 3, and 12 were for Ward 4.
Lori Chadwick, Director of Development Service, said 2022 was a record-breaking year.
It is unknown what 2023 could look like in terms of development, she said, but it is hoped to see development continue as it did last year.
Two-year Animal Control
Services Agreement approved
Council approved a two-year agreement, and corresponding by-law, with Essex County K9 Services for Animal Control Services for a two-year Term, beginning February 1, 2023.
There is an option to extend for one year.
The Report to Council on the matter notes Essex first entered into an agreement with Essex County K9 Services in 2013 to provide Animal Control Services. The term of the most recent contract ended on December 31, 2022 and has since been extended on a month-to-month basis.
On December 31, 2022 a Request for Proposal was issued for the service. The proposal from Essex County K9 Services was the only response received.
The Report adds the annual retainer for this contract is $35,000 for the first year (an $8,000 increase from the previous contract, due to fuel expenses), and the fee for wildlife removal is $70 per call for the first year. Both fees do not include HST. The contract includes an adjustment in the Total Consumer Price Index for subsequent years for both fees.
The retainer fee and $8,500 for wildlife removal are included in the Animal Control 2023 Operating Budget.
Essex to send letter asking school boards conduct or fund their own elections
Essex Council received a letter the Town of Petrolia forwarded to various provincial ministries, requesting school boards become responsible for conducting their own trustee elections or, at minimum, municipalities be compensated by the school boards for overseeing such trustee elections.
Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley made a motion that Essex make its own letter echoing Petrolia’s sentiment.
Amyloidosis Awareness Month
proclaimed for March
Essex Council received and supported a request to proclaim the month of March 2023 as Amyloidosis Awareness Month in the Town of Essex.
The intention is to support the Canadian Amyloidosis Support Network in promoting public awareness about the disease throughout the community.
Information provided notes Amyloidosis is a group of diseases that occurs when an abnormal protein, known as amyloid, builds up in the tissues and organs of the body. Left untreated, the disease can result in organ failure and can be fatal.
Notice of Motion to be brought
forward at the February 21 meeting:
Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy will ask Council to direct Administration to send a letter to all relevant taxation bodies, including the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, urging them to reinstate previous legislation (Municipal Act s. 388.2) that permitted a Municipality to apply for and retain the surplus proceeds from a tax sale in its jurisdiction.
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