Committees and Boards

This non-profit organization represents and promotes the defined business improvement area of Essex Centre as a business or shopping area.

Operating through a board of directors who own or work in downtown businesses, the BIA's primary function is twofold: to improve the physical environment of the area, and to assist with economic redevelopment of the local business community through area-wide promotion and advertising. The BIA provides both the organized structure and the source of funds to help improve our business economy and to make our town a better place in which to live and make a living.

Board Composition

The BIA is governed by a 9-member Board of Management appointed by Council comprised of 1 member of Council and 8 members of the BIA selected by a vote of the membership of the improvement area. The Council member is a non-voting member.

Meeting Schedule

View meeting dates, agendas and minutes for this committee on our Council Calendar.

Interested in joining the Essex Centre BIA Board of Management? Contact the Essex BIA.

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Learn more about the Essex Centre Business Improvement Area (BIA) Board of Management

The Town of Essex contracts with the Ontario Provincial Police for police protection within the community. This contract is administered by the Essex County OPP Detachment Board North – Lakeshore, Essex, Tecumseh.

Board Composition

The Essex County OPP Detachment Board North – Lakeshore, Essex, Tecumseh is a joint detachment board between the three communities of the Town of Essex, Town of Tecumseh, and Municipality of Lakeshore.

The new detachment board is made up of three (3) Council appointees, four (4) community representatives, and two (2) provincial appointees.

Meeting Schedule

View meeting dates, agendas and minutes for this committee on our Council Calendar.

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Learn more about the Essex County OPP Detachment Board North - Lakeshore, Essex, Tecumseh

The Drainage Board is responsible for exercising Council’s powers and duties with respect to any matter under the Drainage Act (the “Act”), in which Council is required by law to hold a hearing or afford an opportunity to be heard.

Board Composition

The Drainage Board is made up of a maximum of 5 appointed members from the public, with support from the Drainage Services Division.

Meeting Schedule

View meeting dates, agendas and minutes for this committee on our Council Calendar.

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Terms of Reference

The primary mandate of the Essex Accessibility Advisory Committee is to consult with and provide advice to Council on the annual municipal accessibility plan for the Town of Essex.

Committee Composition

The Committee is made up of 1 member of Council and up to 12 members who are appointed by Council from the community. The Mayor may also attend meetings as an ex officio. The Ontarians with Disabilities Act requires that the majority of the Committee members be persons with disabilities.

Meeting Schedule

View meeting dates, agendas and minutes for this committee on our Council Calendar.

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Learn more about the Accessibility Advisory Committee

Terms of Reference

By-Law 2237 establishes an Appeals Committee of the Town of Essex with quasi-judicial functions and the jurisdiction delegated by Council to (among other things) hear and determine all applications made, proceedings instituted, and matters brought before it and for such purpose to make such orders, give such directions, issue such approvals, deny, or vary applications, and otherwise do and perform all such acts, matters, deeds, and things as may be necessary or incidental to the exercise of its powers. In accordance with By-Law 2237 the Property Standards Committee is the Town of Essex Appeals Committee.

Committee Composition

The Town of Essex Appeals Committee is comprised of five (5) Members of the Public, including the Chair. The Chair must be a current or former member of the legal profession or have extensive knowledge of the rules and significant experience applicable to quasi-judicial bodies. The Appeals Committee shall meet monthly, as necessary, for the expedient resolution of the matters brought before it.

Meeting Schedule

View meeting dates, agendas and minutes for this committee on our Council Calendar.

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Learn more about the Appeals Committee.

Terms of Reference

The Committee of Adjustment is responsible for holding hearings under the Planning Act regarding minor variances from the Town's zoning by-law, changes in non-conforming use, and applications for land division (separating a new lot, adding land to an existing lot).

Committee Composition

The Committee is comprised of five members of the public who are appointed by Council.

Meeting Schedule

View meeting dates, agendas and minutes for this committee on our Council Calendar.

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Learn more about the Committee of Adjustment

Terms of Reference

The Heritage Committee is appointed by Council under the authority of the Ontario Heritage Act. The Committee advises Council on matters related to the Act. It may also advise Council about properties in the Town of Essex that have cultural heritage value, which the Town or property owner may wish to preserve or protect from destruction or harmful change by passing a Heritage Designation By-Law.

Committee Composition

The Heritage Committee is comprised of up to 9 members, including Council appointees.

Meeting Schedule

View meeting dates, agendas and minutes for this committee on our Council Calendar.

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Learn more about the Heritage Committee

Terms of Reference

Pursuant to Section 88.37(1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended, municipalities are required, prior to October 1 in a regular election year, to establish a Compliance Audit Committee (CAC). The purpose of the CAC is to consider applications for compliance audits of candidates’ or registered third parties’ campaign finances and determine if audits are required. The Terms of Reference have been established to ensure that the duties and responsibilities of the CAC are fulfilled in a fair, open and responsible manner.

Committee Composition

The Committee is to be comprised of persons with accounting and audit, academic or legal backgrounds and/or other individuals with knowledge of election campaign finances. There are three (3) appointed members from the public who comprise the Committee.

Meeting Schedule

The Committee is established prior to Election Day and appointments take effect on the first day of the new Council’s term of office.

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Learn more about the Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee

Terms of Reference

The Property Standards By-law (936) sets standards of maintenance and occupancy for all properties located in the Town of Essex. In accordance with By-Law 2237 the Property Standards Committee is the Town of Essex Appeals Committee. See Appeals Committee. All property owners are required to repair and maintain their property according to these standards, including owners of rental residential properties, unless there is an agreement between the property owner and a lessee or occupant that assigns maintenance and repair responsibility to the lessee or occupant.

Committee Composition

*See Appeals Committee.

Meeting Schedule

View meeting dates, agendas and minutes for this committee on our Council Calendar.

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Learn more about the Property Standards Committee

The mandate of the Arts, Culture and Tourism (ACT) Committee is to actively promote, develop and support various aspects of cultural art forms, including but not limited to dance, drama, theatre, visual arts, literature, music and sculpture in multiple mediums throughout the municipality.

Committee Composition

The Arts, Culture and Tourism Committee is comprised of 2 Council members and up to 9 appointed members from the public. Meetings are open to the public.

Meeting Schedule

View meeting dates, agendas and minutes for this committee on our Council Calendar.

Apply Now

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Learn more about the Arts, Culture and Tourism Committee

Terms of Reference

The Co-An Park Committee was established pre-amalgamation by the former Township of Colchester North (now Town of Essex) and the former Township of Anderdon (now Town of Amherstburg). The Committee operates and maintains the park and its personnel.

Committee Composition

The Committee is comprised of 1 Council member and 3 appointed members from the public for each municipality.

Meeting Schedule

The Co-An Park Committee generally meets on the second Wednesday of each month. To be placed on the agenda, contact the Co-An Park Secretary by phone at 519-726-5434 at least 5 days before the next meeting.

View meeting dates, agendas and minutes for this committee on our Council Calendar.

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Learn more about the Co-An Park Committee

Terms of Reference

*Proposed Terms of Reference.

The Essex Festival Committee is responsible for organizing events as part of the Essex Fun Fest, including the parade, midway, vendor booths, and entertainment. Other responsibilities include advertising, promotion and security.

Committee Composition

One Council member and up to 14 members from the public are appointed to serve on this committee.

Meeting Schedule

View meeting dates, agendas and minutes for this committee on our Council Calendar.

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Learn more about the Essex Festival Committee

Terms of Reference

The purpose of the Santa's Village Committee is to create a memorable, fiscally responsible annual event to promote the general betterment and positive self-image of our community using the identified strengths that exist in the community. The committee strives to increase the number of people attending activities during the event and their diversity and increasing user satisfaction.

Committee Composition

One Council member and up to 8 members from the public are appointed to serve on this committee.

Meeting Schedule

View meeting dates, agendas and minutes for this committee on our Council Calendar.

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Terms of Reference

The mandate of the Affordable Housing Task Force (AHTF) is to provide advice, suggestions, and recommendations to Administration and Council on issues related to affordable housing in the Town of Essex, including but not limited to identifying new or existing programs to stimulate new affordable housing development, exploring grant funding opportunities for affordable housing development, and fostering partnership opportunities with housing institutions.

Committee Composition

The Affordable Housing Task Force is comprised of Staff Liaison, a minimum of 1 and maximum of 2 Council members and a minimum of 5 and maximum of 11 appointed members from the public. Meetings are open to the public.

Meeting Schedule

View meeting dates, agendas and minutes for this committee on our Council Calendar.

Terms of Reference Apply Now