On Monday, the 2018-2022 term of council members were presented with a beautiful hand crafted cutting board. It was a great last council meeting of the outgoing council. Some tissues came in handy as some said good bye for now and thanked their family and supporters.
Our CAO, Doug Sweet took the time to list some of the accomplishments of the current council, his thoughtfulness was appreciated by all of us.
Key Accomplishments:
– Legacy Project- Design and construct of a new Fire Station 2
– Major Improvements at Colchester Park and harbour- 2 Accessible ramps, Community Centre created, Colchester Park enhancements.
– Begin development of the new Essex Centre Sport Fields.
-Legacy Project- Harrow Streetscape- Design and Construction.
-Input on Essex Centre Streetscape Design.
-2019-2022 Corportate Strategic Plan created with 88% of objectives achieved.
– Completed 52km of roadwork which is a mix of reconstruction, resurfacing and rehabilitation.
– Adopted a new Development Standard Manual.
-Adopted a new Stormwater Management Standards Manual.
– Establishing a Speed Limit Policy
-Vulnerable Children Signage Policy
-Community Safety Zone Policy
– Adopted the updated Asset Management Plan for Core Assets
-Implemented a Rain Barrel Subsidy Program.
– Adopted a Climate Change Adaptation Plan.
-Successfully completed a budget reset year.
-Maintained tax increases at or below inflationary rates.
– Completion of Information Technology Strategic Plan.
-Adoption of a new and improved Procurement Bylaw.
– Successfully moved to an online payment system for many services ( taxation, dog tags, building permits).
-Conducted a fees and charges study.
-Official Plan- this council kickstarted the new Official Plan project.
– Short Term rental unit policies and licensing bylaw.
– Second Dwelling unit policy
-Agritourism development strategy and implementation.
– Initiation of the business retention and expansion strategy
-Shovels in the ground for various major developments such as Liftow, Toyota, Essex Town Centre, Crawford Packaging, The Grove Motel, Classy Caps, Parkland Woods, Green Leaf Trails, Essex Home hardware, Redevelopment of the Dahl House.
– CWATS partnership with committment to CASO Line and Cr Road 50 East and West trail connections.
– Successful complettion of two Community Improvement Plans ( Harrow and Essex).
– Partnership established with Heritage Colchester for the Colchester School House.
– Increased facility Accessibility by adding automatic doors at multiple facilities.
-New tennis courts in Essex Centre.
– Bus transportation added from Leamington to Windsor, with a stop at the Essex Centre Sports Complex.
-New Splashpad washrooms in Essex Centre and Harrow.
-Essex Fire added an Ice Water Rescue Team.
– Hunter Park Playground Replacement.
– New Townsview Playground.
-Added navilens to Facilities for accessibility purposes.
– Added Memorial bench/tree program.
– Created a satellite customer service center at the Harrow Arena.
