Public Presentations 

Reports from Administration 

Correspondence 

Council received and supported:

A Call to Return to Property Tax Reassessment Cycle

·        AMO and municipalities have been calling on the Province to establish a clear and timely path back to regular property assessment cycles for years. View the letter.

EWSWA Green Bin Program Promotion and Education

·       View the EWSWA Green Bin Campaign Summary.

By-Laws 

Notices of Motion 

The Following Notices of Motion were considered and carried:

Moved by Mayor Bondy:

That Council direct Administration to review the archway sign entering the Harrow Fairgrounds and prepare a Report to Council with potential modification options with the associated costs; and

That Council direct Administration to include Town Branding, including the Council approved criteria for future gateway and prominent community signage, in future strategic plan discussions.

Whereas the growth of digital infrastructure has accelerated the development of data centres, which may introduce substantial local infrastructure requirements and significant intersecting vulnerabilities to the Town of Essex, including potential risks to stormwater runoff, regional conservation watersheds, municipal wastewater treatment, water capacities, and electrical grids;

Whereas the Council of the County of Essex, at its meeting on August 5, 2026, directed County Administration to undertake a comprehensive land use planning policy study regarding data centres in consultation with its constituent local municipalities;

Whereas the Comprehensive Zoning By-Law of The Corporation of the Town of Essex currently lack a specific, definitive classification or definition for information technology data centres, creating a regulatory gap where such uses could potentially be permitted under generic industrial definitions in the interim; and

Whereas Section 38 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13, authorizes the council of the Town of Essex to pass an Interim Control By-Law to prohibit the use of land, buildings, or structures within the Town of Essex for a defined period, but no longer than two years, to allow for the completion of a review or study of land use planning policies.

Therefore, Be It Resolved That the Council of the Town of Essex direct Administration to prepare a report respecting information technology data centres within the Town of Essex, including:

A. a review of the current planning policy framework and regulatory tools available to the municipality;

B. consideration of the ongoing County of Essex land use planning policy study;

C. an evaluation of the appropriateness of implementing an Interim Control By-law under Section 38 of the Planning Act; and

D. recommendations regarding any necessary planning policy, zoning, or other regulatory measures.

The following Notices of Motion were brought forward for presentment only:

A. Moved by Councillor Matyi:

WHEREAS Heritage Colchester acts as a volunteer steward of the Colchester Schoolhouse, a Town-owned heritage asset, and raises funds to preserve and improve the property; and

WHEREAS, Heritage Colchester has committed to engaging professionals to complete engineering and design work related to improvements to the Colchester Schoolhouse at an estimated cost of $24,200 (including non-refundable taxes); and

WHEREAS the Town, as property owner, will reasonably require input and approval regarding the design and implementation of such improvements to its property; and

WHEREAS funds raised by Heritage Colchester can have a greater direct impact when directed toward the physical preservation and improvement of the Colchester Schoolhouse rather than professional costs associated with planning improvements to a Town-owned asset.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct Administration to provide a:

1. Matching contribution equal to Heritage Colchester's contribution toward the engineering and professional design work currently underway for improvements to the Colchester Schoolhouse, estimated at $12,100.00 (including non-refundable taxes), to be funded from the Council Contingency Fund; and
2. Report to Council considering a process whereby the Town of Essex would assume responsibility for future engineering, architectural and other professional costs deemed by the Town to be reasonably required for approved capital improvements to the Colchester Schoolhouse, while Heritage Colchester focuses its fundraising and available funding on the physical improvements and preservation of the property. It is suggested that such report identify the current division of responsibility for engineering, professional services, maintenance and capital improvements at other Town-owned heritage facilities, including the Essex Railway Station, to help ensure a fair and consistent approach to Town-owned heritage assets. 

B. Moved by Councillor Matyi:

WHEREAS Town of Essex By-Law 2159, as amended by By-Law 2422, among other things, sets out the procedures for publishing agendas and considering delegation requests related to a Regular Meeting of Council; and

WHEREAS the Town’s Code of Conduct for Council and Committee Members sets out guidelines and principles for Council and Committee Members; and

WHEREAS the Town’s procedural By-Law 2159, as amended by By-Law 2422, and Code of Conduct for Council and Committee Members influences the way that a sitting Council conducts its business; and

WHEREAS Council deems it expedient to conduct regular reviews of the Town’s procedural By-Law 2159, as amended by By-Law 2422, and Code of Conduct for Council and Committee Members; and

WHEREAS longer agenda posting periods would provide increased time for Council to digest agenda materials, allow the community a longer feedback window, and give residents increased time to decide whether to appear as a delegation.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct Administration to provide a report to the Town’s incoming Council reviewing and proposing potential amendments to the Town’s procedural By-Law 2159, as amended by By-Law 2422, and Code of Conduct for Council and Committee Members. Administration should consider including the following in such report:

1. Regular Council Meeting agendas be publicly posted no later than seven (7) days prior to the scheduled meeting date;
2. Delegation Request deadlines be adjusted given the longer posting window; and

Members of Council be restricted from making public statements, social media posts, or public comments advocating a position on a specific agenda item until the close of business on the next business day following that agenda's public posting