COVID 19

Impact on Municipal Services

Updated April 16, 2021

Effective April 3, 2021, access to the Administration Centre will be restricted to staff only during the Provincial Shutdown. Residents are encouraged to reach out to staff by phone or email and to use online options as much as possible. Should you need to, you can contact staff by phone 705-424-9917 (visit Contacts page for extensions) or by email.

The Township of Essa is urging residents to continue using our Online Registration system where possible and avoid unnecessary trips to the Administration Centre.

Drop boxes are located at the upper and lower level entrances of the Administration Centre. Residents are able to leave payments via cheque in these drop boxes. Please ensure your contact information as well as information relevant to the payment is included and placed in a sealed envelope.

All payments can be made utilizing the drop boxes described above.

This page is dedicated to COVID-19 and will be updated as new information is made available.

MUNICIPAL SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE BUT IN A DIFFERENT MANNER

Building Department (705-424-9917 ext 128)

Building Permits - Residential building permits will continue to be issued however residents are requested to place their application and drawings in the drop-off box located on the lower level, or send the application and drawings via email to edavis@essatownship.on.ca. A member of the Building Department will contact you once they've received your application. Non-residential construction will continue to be issued but construction must be essential as defined by: https://www.oboa.on.ca/uncategorized/essential-construction-under-emergency-stay-at-home-order-april-16-2021/

Building Inspections - Outdoor and unheated indoor inspections will be conducted by inspectors using physical distancing and masks. Indoor inspections will only be conducted where there are no people in the immediate area at the time of the inspection, and AFTER a risk assessment has taken place and a phone call to the homeowner. No inspections will be conducted on construction projects not deemed essential.

By-law Enforcement (705-424-9917 ext 122)

As a result of pressures placed on Municipal Law Enforcement Officers resulting from Provincial COVID-19 measures, please exercise patience when contacting our Officers. They will do their best to respond to your concern in a timely manner.

Canines - We are asking residents who have found a dog running at large, to please secure the dog in an outdoor location (ie; backyard, leashed safely to front porch, or secured in garage if at all possible) and contact the Township of Essa at (705) 424-9917 during business hours to transfer the dog. Staff will not be entering into a home at this time to secure a dog, so please help make social distancing possible.

During business hours, contact 705-424-9917 extension 122. The Township does not offer pick-up of dogs found after regular hours or on weekends.

Parking Tickets - Options are outlined on the back of the ticket for payment options and/or dispute of the charge. The ticket and/or payment can be made by placing the ticket and payment in an envelope in the drop-box at the Administration Centre. Alternatively, please see the Parking Ticket webpage for payment by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

Clerk's Department (705-424-9917 ext 101 or 116)

Business Licenses / Sign Permits- are still being issued during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Application, payment and supplementary documentation can be inserted in an envelope and placed in the drop box. Inspections will be conducted when restrictions ease. Please contact 705-424-9917 ext 101 for more payment options.

Civil Ceremonies - Effective April 17, 2021 Civil ceremonies will not be performed until restrictions have been lifted. The total number of persons permitted in attendance is continuously impacted by the Province's COVID-19 Framework, so participants are encouraged to contact the Clerk's Office at 705-424-9917 ext. 116 as restrictions change.

Commissioning of Documents - by appointment only.

Marriage Licenses - are being issued to Essa residents only who are getting married within 30 days of their application by appointment only. For more information, please call 705-424-9917 ext 101 or email ahutchins@essatownship.on.ca.

Fire Department (705-424-5828)

Burn Permits - Permits are available for purchase online, and inspections are being conducted during the Provincial Lockdown. For more information see the following page: Burn Permits

Library

Both branches of the Essa Public Library have moved to curbside pick-up. Drop boxes are available 24 hours a day and items will be quarantined after drop off.

Angus Branch (705-424-6531) - Monday to Thursday from 10:00am to 8:00pm and Friday and Saturday from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

Thornton Branch (705-458-2549) - Monday to Thursday 2:00pm to 7:00pm and Friday and Saturday 10:00am to 3:00pm.

Parks and Recreation Department (705-424-9917 ext 107)

Facility Bookings - are not being accepted until Provincial Restrictions are lifted.

Programs - are cancelled at this time.

Outdoor Rinks - are closed at this time.

Parks remain open at this time, however please ensure social distancing protocols are met, and masks are worn if not possible.

COVID-19 Enforcement FAQs
COVID-19 Updates
COVID-19 Mayor and Council Messages
COVID-19 Event Cancellations
COVID-19 Business Support
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
2-1-1 Assistance to Residents in Need (Grocery & Pharmaceutical Delivery Options)
Ontario's List of Essential Businesses
FAQs about Essential Businesses

TRANSIT

Simcoe County's public transit service has adjusted their service schedules in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. For more information on reduced services please click here.

FINANCIAL RELIEF - TAXES & WATER/SEWER BILLING - EXPIRES DECEMBER 31, 2020

At its meeting of June 17, 2020 Council passed Resolution CW099-2020 which waives all penalties and interest charges with respect to unpaid 2020 Taxes and water/sewer charges.

This relief period expires on December 31, 2020 in accordance with Resolution No. 228-2020.

2020-12-17 Resolution CR228-2020

Hydro One Support

Hydro One continues to support their customers and have introduced a number of initiatives to provide financial relief, flexibility and immediate support. For more information on how to apply for Hydro One financial assistance initiatives please review the document below.

2021-02-02 HYDRO ONE Assistance

Regular Council and Committee of the Whole Meetings / Local Board and Committee Meetings

In response to Provincial Regulations surrounding the COVID-19 Pandemic, Staff have worked hard to provide the public with a safe environment for attending Regular Council and Committee of the Whole Meetings. As such, all meetings of Council are being held electronically only, and are being live-streamed for the public to watch as the meeting is taking place.

Attendance During COVID-19
If you would like to attend a Council meeting by electronic means (ie: teleconference, Zoom), you are required to pre-register by calling 705-424-9917 ext 116 or 117 by NOON on the day of the meeting.
[The link for watching the meetings live on the Township's YouTube Channel is available in the header section of the website.]

Local Board and Committee Meetings are being held as follows:

Traffic Advisory Committee - via Zoom
Accessibility Advisory Committee - via Zoom
Healthy Community Committee - via Zoom
Parks and Recreation Committee - via Zoom
Essa Public Library Board - via Zoom
Age Friendly Steering Committee - via Zoom

In accordance with recent Provincial and Local Health Unit Regulations/Orders, these meetings are occurring electronically. Should any member of the public wish to attend electronically, they are encouraged to contact the member of staff responsible for that Committee.

Welcome to Essa Township

COVID 19

Impact on Municipal Services

The Township of Essa is urging residents to continue using our Online Registration system where possible and avoid unnecessary trips to the Administration Centre.

MUNICIPAL SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE BUT IN A DIFFERENT MANNER

Building Department (705-424-9917 ext 128)

By-law Enforcement (705-424-9917 ext 122)

Clerk's Department (705-424-9917 ext 101 or 116)

Fire Department (705-424-5828)

Library

Parks and Recreation Department (705-424-9917 ext 107)

Related Pages

TRANSIT

Hydro One Support

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​COVID 19 ​​​

Impact on Municipal Services

The Township of Essa is urging residents to continue using our Online Registration system w​here possible and avoid unnecessary trips to th​​e Administration Centre.

MUNIC​​IPAL SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE BUT IN A DIFFERENT MANNER

Building D​epartm​ent (705-424-9917 ext 128)

​By-law Enforcement (705-424-9917 ext 122)​

Clerk'​​s Department (705-424-9917 ext 101 or 116)

Fire Department (705-424-5828)

Library​

Parks and Recre​​ation D​​​epartment (705-424-9917 ext 107)

​Related Pages

TRANSIT

Hydro One Support

COVID 19

The Township of Essa is urging residents to continue using our Online Registration system where possible and avoid unnecessary trips to the Administration Centre.

MUNICIPAL SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE BUT IN A DIFFERENT MANNER

Building Department (705-424-9917 ext 128)

By-law Enforcement (705-424-9917 ext 122)

Clerk's Department (705-424-9917 ext 101 or 116)

Library

Parks and Recreation Department (705-424-9917 ext 107)

Related Pages