Essa to license tow truck operators
by Richard Blanchard

Essa township is moving on licensing tow truck operators who want to operate in the municipality.

Council agreed Wednesday night to proceed with using the current Transient Traders bylaw in order to give local operators a more competitive business environment.

The four tow truck operators in the township have complained that they have to compete with tow truck operators from Barrie, New Tecumseth and Innisfil who are called by the Nottawasaga OPP when accidents occur in the township.

"Other municipalities protect their tow truck drivers. In Barrie, Essa tow truck drivers can't operate without a Barrie license but we have a situation now where if an accident occurs in Angus, a tow truck is likely to be called from Barrie," he said

The inclusion of tow trucks under the Transient Traders by-law would prohibit anyone without a tow truck license issued by Essa township from attending calls in the township. Licenses would not be issue to tow truck operators from outside the township.

The township has learned that the OPP will support this solution.