Public Works 

The Public Works Department oversees municipal and public services such as streetlighting, sidewalk construction and maintenance, municipal water, storm and sanitary sewer services, municipal drain maintenance, plus the maintenance of parklands, sports facilities, and open space areas.
 

The Public Works Department responsibilities include:

• Road Maintenance and Reconstruction
• Roadside Weed Control
• Entrance & Road Occupancy Permits
• Township Signage and Traffic Control
• Street Lighting
• Subdivision Construction Review
• Municipal Engineering Standards
• 9-1-1 Municipal Addressing/Maintenance
• Ditches, Road Shoulders, and Bridges
• Sidewalks
• Winter Control
• Municipal Drains
• Landfill Voucher Program

Township Roads
At present, the Public Works Department maintain 250 kms (155 miles) of Township roads comprised of 90 kms of gravel and 160 kms of hard surfaced roads.  There are also 21 kms of unopened road allowances within our Township.  This department strives to provide, to our residents and visitors, a safe and efficient means of travel on our road system.

The Township's Public Works staff, operating from the Garage which is located at the intersection of County Roads 21 and 56, consists of the Roads Foreman, 9 full time Operators, and 1 seasonal employee.  Equipment includes 2 graders complete with snow plow equipment, 5 tandem axle trucks plows and sanders, 1 tandem axle truck with snow plow, 4WD Loader, Backhoe, Dozer, Trackless Sidewalk Plow, and other related equipment.

Within the municipality, there are six county roads, County Road 10, 15, 21, 27, 56, and 90.  Calls concerning road conditions on any of these County Roads should be directed to the County of Simcoe at 726-9300, Ext. 250.

The Township is bordered to the south by Provincial Highway 89 which is maintained both summer and winter by TWD Roads Management Inc.  Any difficulties experienced on this highway should be addressed to TWD Roads Management Inc. at 705-458-0509.

Levels of Service
Business Hours(Administration Centre)
During normal working hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, calls concerning road conditions should be directed to the Manager of Public Works.

Business Hours (Public Works Department)
Hours of operation for the Roads staff, January through April, and September through December are 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Summer Hours(Public Works Department)
During the peak construction period (May through August) the Roads Department staff work an extended day from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Winter Patrol (Public Works Department)
From approximately mid-November through Mid-April, a one-person patrol (Winter Operations - Level of Service - Patrol) is on duty from 1:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. to provide road condition inspections plus spot sanding/plowing.  Call-out of additional personnel if required, is the responsibility of the Night Patrol.  In accordance with the "Level of Service" standards adopted by Council, the Township Roads Department does not provide plowing (Winter Operations - Level of Service - Snow Plowing) and/or sanding (Winter Operations - Level of Service - Winter Sanding) services between 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. unless it is considered an extreme emergency or critical situation.

Winter Parking
From November 1st to May 1st parking is not allowed on streets or highways between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. in order that snow plowing operations are not interrupted.  Illegally parked cars may be ticketed and/or towed away.

Entrance Permits
Entrance Permits are required for all access points (driveway, farm entrance / laneway, etc.) to private property from a Municipal road.  Applications to construct an entrance are available at the Administration Centre.  Please refer to the Schedule of Fees.

Entrance Permits are required for all access points on County Roads and Highway No. 89. Contact the County of Simcoe (705) 726-9300, Ext.250 or the Ministry of Transportation at (519) 376-7350, respectively.

Road Occupancy
Road Occupancy Applications are required should a property owner wish to install enclosed drains in roadside ditches, or connect to the municipal water and sanitary sewer trunk lines on those streets where these systems have been installed. Applications are available at the Administration Centre.  Please refer to the Schedule of Fees.

Load Restrictions
Load restrictions (vehicle weights not to exceed 5 tonnes per axle) are in effect on Township roads from March 1st to May 15th, as per By-law No. 94-32.

Heavy Load Permits
Moving and Heavy Load Permits are available at the Administration Centre and are required for moving heavy or oversized loads on municipal roads.  Contact the Manager of Public Works for more information. Please refer to the Schedule of Fees.

Street Lights
The Township provides street lights on most urban streets (Angus, Thornton, Baxter, plus several rural subdivisions).  Reports of burnt-out lights or malfunctioning lights should be directed to the Executive Assistant to the CAO.

Sidewalks
Every effort is made by the Municipality to provide the best winter maintenance of sidewalks given the resources available and weather conditions.  Further information is available concerning "Quality Standards and Levels of Service" (Winter Operations - Quality Standards - Sidewalks) by contacting the Manager of Public Works.

Waste and Recycling Collection
The County of Simcoe Waste Management Department is responsible for garbage and recycling collection.  Please contact them directly at 735-6901 or 1-800-263-3199.  Click here to view and download the County's collection calendar.

Voucher Program
All Essa residents are eligible to receive two free tipping vouchers annually.  Vouchers may be obtained, with proof of residency, at the Administration Centre or the Economic Development Office.  No replacements will be issued for lost or stolen vouchers.  Only one load/vehicle per voucher may be brought to the landfill site at any one time.

Landfill Locations
Site No. 13 - Tosorontio
6815 Concession Road 4, Township of Adjala Tosorontio - Phone (705) 735-6901
West from Everett to Concession Road 4.  Turn right approximately 1 mile.  Landfill on right.
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday - 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Site No. 16 - Bradford-West Gwillimbury
2960 Line 12 (905) 775-3569
1 km E of W/Gwillimbury Sideroad 10
Conc 12 between Hwy 11 and 400
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday - Friday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Saturday - 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Blue Boxes
Recycling Blue Boxes are available at the Administration Centre (upper level) and at the Economic Development Centre.  New residents to the Township are entitled to one box free of charge. Additional boxes or replacements are available for $5.00.

Municipal Water & Sewers
The Township's Water and Sewer systems are operated under contract by the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA).  Any concerns or difficulties experienced with municipal water/sewers should be addressed to OCWA., at 1-866-775-7712, during normal business hours.  If a response is not received from OCWA during normal business hours, please contact the Executive Assistant to the CAO.

After hours or in an emergency, please contact OCWA at 1-800-461-9675.

Sanitary Sewer Information & Tips  
Potential Causes of Sanitary Sewer Lateral Blockages
The DO'S AND DO NOT'S for sanitary sewer operations

Service Locates
Requests for locates for watermain and sewer laterals should be directed to the OCWA at 1-866-775-7712.

Water Use
All Municipal water users are advised that the following lawn/garden watering restrictions are in place from June 1 to September 1 of each year.

Odd numbered houses may water on odd days; even numbered houses may water on even days from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. or from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., however, NO WATERING WHATSOEVER IS ALLOWED ON MONDAYS.

This By-law will be strictly enforced and offenders will be fined.