COVID-19 Resource Page

Council & Committees

• The Procedural By-law has been updated to allow for electronic participation and electronic broadcast of Council meetings during local emergencies. Council meetings are now live streamed to the Town's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/EssexOntario. Meeting minutes and agendas continue to be posted on the Council Calendar.

• If you would like to appear electronically at a meeting of Council to speak as a Specific Delegation (on a matter that relates specifically to an item on the Agenda) shall submit a Delegation Request Form no later than 4:30 PM on the Friday immediately preceding the date of the Regular Council Meeting. If you would like to otherwise address Council as a General Delegation, then you must submit the Delegation Request Form to the Clerk by 2:00 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the meeting. As always before you request to appear before Council, please consider discussing your concerns firstly with a member of Town staff or your Council Member.

• If you would like to be an electronic attendee and/or delegate at a Committee meeting, please provide your contact information (name, email and phone number) via email to clerks@essex.ca or by phone 519-776-7336 ex 1132 no later than Noon (12:00pm) on the day before the meeting. 

Property Tax and Water/Wastewater Payments

• While Town of Essex facilities remain closed to the public except for essential visits, account payments can still be made using the following methods:
  • Drop box at Essex Town Hall or Harrow Arena.
  • Online using the Virtual City Hall system.
  • Online through your banking institution.
• Learn more about property tax payments at www.essex.ca/Taxes 

Local Businesses and Economic Development

• For a summary of current resources available for businesses, please visit our COVID-19 Business Resources page.

Construction & Development Permits

• The Town’s Building Division is closed to the public, except for essential visits. Please call ahead to make an appointment and ensure staff availability.
• All permit documents can be submitted via email at buildingdept@essex.ca. A drop box is also available for document submission at the Building & By-law Enforcement Office (2610 County Road 12) or Town Hall (33 Talbot Street South, Essex Centre).
• Under the current restrictions all construction projects and related construction services, including residential renovations, may also begin or continue.

By-law Enforcement

• Town of Essex By-law Officers are working with the Ontario Provincial Police to conduct regular patrols to ensure members of the public follow the provincial orders made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
• During regular business hours, residents with concerns about large groups or non-essential businesses continuing to operate can contact the Town’s By-law Enforcement Team at bylaw@essex.ca or 519-776-7336 ext 1400. Alternatively, residents can contact the Ontario Provincial Police non-emergency line at 1-888 310-1122, which is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Parks & Facilities

• Starting April 2, 2021, the Essex Municipal Office (33 Talbot Street South, Essex Centre) and the Building/By-law Enforcement Building (2610 County Road 12, Gesto) will be closed to the public except for essential visits made by appointment only during regular business hours (8:30am to 11:30am and 1:30pm to 4:30pm).
• All visitors are required to wear a mask and undergo a screening procedure with questions related to COVID-19 symptoms and potential exposure to the virus. Current measures at Town facilities are listed below:
  

  • Preventative Measures:

    • Protective Plexiglas screens have been installed at customer service counters.
    • New hand sanitizing stations are available for visitors.
    • All public washrooms remain closed, including the two public washrooms at the front entrance of Town Hall.
    • Increased cleaning and sanitizing is ongoing throughout all Town facilities.
    • Signs, arrows and floor markings have been put in place to assist visitors in safely navigating buildings.
  • All Visitors Must:
    • Wear a mask when entering Town Hall and Gesto Office locations, while inside and for the duration of the transaction. Visitors must provide their own mask.
    • For Town Hall, only enter from the Talbot Street Council Chamber entrance, utilizing the ramp, and exit only through the Tot Park door.
    • Sanitize hands when entering our facilities.
    • Follow marked lines on the floor when lineups occur to ensure physical distancing is maintained during peak periods.
    • Only one customer per counter at a time.
• All Town of Essex recreational facilities are closed to the public. In-person recreational programming has been postponed until further notice.
• Parks, trails, and outdoor recreation areas will remain open.
• Sports fields remain closed.
• Staff continue to operate and conduct required maintenance on infrastructure in the community. Residents are asked to maintain appropriate physical distance from Town employees.

Garbage Collection

• Garbage, recycle, and yard waste collection continues. Residents are asked to refrain from assisting in collection. Garbage must be bagged and tied. Loose garbage in pails or untied bags will not be collected due to health and safety concerns. Residents can refer to their printed collection calendars or the downloadable RecycleCoach app for pickup schedules.

Recreation Programs

• In-person recreation programs have been postponed until further notice.
• Online activities and virtual programs can be found at www.essex.ca/PlaysAtHome or www.essexconnect.ca 

 Infrastructure Services

• Public Works staff continue to operate and conduct required maintenance on infrastructure in the community. Residents are asked to maintain appropriate physical distance from Town employees.