By Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
Council for the Town of Essex unanimously adopted its new Streetlight Banner Policy, equipped with a few revisions, at the November 4 meeting.
The revisions made to the policy were based on feedback heard from Council and members of the community at the October 7 meeting when the draft policy was first presented.
Discussion on the proposed policy began at the May 6, 2024 meeting. At the time, Council directed Administration to return with a report with recommendations regarding the use of Town-owned banners within the municipality of the Town of Essex.
Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais presented that motion. She noted then she wanted the report to outline their use, if organizations will be able to utilize the program – and what kind of organizations and events would be permitted, and costs associated, before the Town gets flooded with requests. Last month, Administration presented the new policy for Council consideration.
Based on feedback heard at that meeting, the policy was amended, then presented to Council for Consideration of adoption at the November 4 meeting. The main changes include only allowing the installation of banners for the Town, the Essex Centre BIA, and the Harrow & Colchester South Chamber of Commerce. The Essex and Harrow Branches of the Royal Canadian Legion will also be able to tap into the program for their fall-based veteran memorial banner programs, Director of Infrastructure, Kevin Girard, explained.
Other amendments applied to the policy include reducing the number of banner changes to four-times on a seasonal basis, per year, and waiving the cost of veteran memorial banner programs for the local Legions. The cost of that will be included in future operating budgets, the report details.
During last month’s meeting, Council heard from veterans and Legion reps with concern of the cost for the veteran memorial banner programs.
Essex CAO Doug Sweet noted then that the proposed policy was one that was general for any organization. Other organizations can come forward with requests, he noted of the need for the policy. It also had to outline how to address exemptions.
Originally, it was recommended Council adopt the Streetlight Banner Policy and authorize a $40 charge per banner, which Council heard would not cover the staff wages or equipment costs to install them. It was implemented originally to help offset a small portion of the cost to rent equipment to hang the banners.
Girard added that the section of the policy requiring Council approval for the banners was removed. This was mainly due to the specific nature of future banner designs that will be inherently permitted through the changes to the policy, the report adds.