Mayor's Message

Winter 2024 MESSAGE

Happy Winter, Essa Residents!

The holiday season is in full swing, and we've already enjoyed many wonderful celebrations—Christmas parades, tree lightings, tractor parades, Christmas markets, and events supporting those in need. 🎄✨

As winter brings snow, rain, and ice, please drive carefully and observe posted speed limits to keep everyone safe. Don't forget to check in on seniors and those who may need extra support this season. ❄️

Essa Council Updates:

• 2025 Budget: Council is hard at work preparing the 2025 budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility with your tax dollars. Essa proudly has the lowest taxes north of the GTA and in all of Simcoe County.
• Parks & Recreation Guide: Check out our program guide for exciting new and returning activities!
• Local Hockey: Thornton Minor Hockey and Essa Minor Hockey are well underway. Come cheer on our talented youth! 
• Angus Seniors Program: Join the free walking, chair, and exercise program at the Angus Arena, led by Sandie MacDonald for over 20 years. Mondays & Thursdays, 8:45–9:45 AM, set to fun '60s music!
• Thornton Seniors Program: A new free exercise program hosted by VON SMART awaits you at Thornton Arena! Mondays, 10:30–11:30 AM. Register at 705-737-5044 ext. 225.
• Essa Public Library: Explore programs for all ages at our Thornton and Angus branches. 

Winter Parking Reminder: No overnight street parking is allowed during the winter season to ensure smooth snow removal.

A huge thank you to our Essa staff and volunteers for all you do to make our township a wonderful place to live! 

Warm Regards,

Your Essa Council

Mayor Sandie Macdonald, Deputy Mayor Mike Smith, Councilors Pieter Kiezebrink, Henry Sander, and Liana Maltby

Spring 2024 MESSAGE

Spring is around the corner and Essa’s Council wishes you all the very best in this brand-new season. Residents, be sure to take in all the great things Essa has to offer. Our trails with the full beauty of nature at your doorstep, golf courses, green space, and our hidden river gems to name a few. Outdoor basketball and pickleball courts are waiting for you to come out and enjoy and so much more. Parks and Recreation staff have been busy getting our parks ready and new programs to enjoy.

Our Public Works Department will be busy starting new road projects throughout the Township. Grass cutting will be underway by the Parks and Recreation crew. A shout out to our Public Works Staff for keeping our roads and sidewalks safe during the winter! Congratulations to Thornton and Angus Minor Hockey Leagues for an amazing fun season. Be sure to watch for all the new and upcoming programs offered by the Parks and Recreation Department. Residents, thank you for sharing your ideas and concerns with Essa Council and Staff. Our Essa Libraries are booming with fun activities for all ages to participate in. It is our privilege to work with Essa Residents. Your Essa Council is dedicated to protecting and promoting Essa’s interests and we are always looking for new ways to improve the quality of life in our communities. We would like to extend a big welcome to all our new residents and businesses to our beautiful Township.

Council continues to look for ways to improve the safety for everyone on our roads. Residents have asked for more OPP officers to patrol our roads; with our limited resources this has been a challenge. We now have Automatic Speed Enforcement cameras to help with our #1 complaint about speeding on our roads. Residents this is not a cash grab as some have stated; rather a slowdown, save a life approach. If everyone does the posted speeds, we will not lighten your pockets of any of your money.

Thank you to all our staff for the great customer service that you deliver. Spring is a super time to get our gardens prepared and for planting trees. If you do not have a garden, our Angus Library will be preparing their Community Gardens and would love to have volunteers for planting, weeding – and residents get to reap the harvest!

We are all proud to call Essa home thanks to all our volunteers who contribute to Essa’s greatness.

Warm Regards,

Your Essa Council

Mayor Sandie Macdonald, Deputy Mayor Mike Smith, Councilors Pieter Kiezebrink, Henry Sander, and Liana Maltby

FALL 2023 MESSAGE

Hello Essa Residents - Happy Fall with the vivid colours of leaves and nature's beautiful art scape.  We hope you and your families had a great summer and are ready for what Essa has to offer this fall.

We have many new Parks and Recreation Programs available, and some drop-ins including volleyball, basketball, and pickle ball (just to name a few).

Congratulations to Essa Minor Baseball on your amazing season. Essa and Thornton Minor Hockey Season has started. Be sure to go watch a game to see our local hockey talent.

The Angus Santa Claus Parade is Saturday November 18, starting at 10:00 a.m.  The Angus Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is Friday December 1st at the Angus Arena, and the Thornton Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is Sunday December 3rd at the gazebo in Thornton (across from the Fire Hall).  Please check the Community Events Calendar to see what other events are happening.

A big thank you to our dedicated staff - they have had a busy summer and start to their fall season.  Road projects are coming to completion; the new Thornton Dog Park was well received; and, tennis courts and parks had upgrades.  Our Essa Fire Department has been extremely busy with calls up over 20%. 

Our Automated Speed Enforcement Cameras are set to go live in the month of November.  Residents, please continue to be mindful of your speeds when driving on our roads to help keep everyone safe.

Council and staff will be busy starting November 1st with Budget preparations.  Our goals are to present a fiscally responsible and transparent budget.

Your Council continues to work on your behalf.

Kind Regards,

Mayor Sandie, Deputy Mayor Mike, and Councillors Pieter, Henry and Lianna.

SPRING 2023 - Spring has sprung and we appreciate everyone's patience as landowners in Essa attempt to make their properties appear at their best!  The Township encourages all landowners to make their properties as presentable as possible.  There are times when the municipality must step up and impose the conditions of our Untidy and Property Standards By-laws, however, these by-laws only cover so much.  At times, there are items or issues out of our control and beyond the jurisdiction of the municipality.  Again, we appreciate your understanding keeping in mind that we are always trying to resolve the concerns of our residents.