After months of meetings and consultations, the Town of Essex has decided to maintain its current ward boundaries.
During the next election residents will also be able to vote for a deputy mayor at large.
"I really think the residents will see the extra representation and I think we'll see positive results from adding that eighth seat. This job is extremely busy," says Councillor Sherry Bondy.
The decision will leave six councillors around the table, as well as a deputy mayor and mayor.
Bondy says ultimately they decided this is the best make-up for the town council.
"The consultant reports were recommending loss of representation in the southern half of our municipality and the majority of council didn't want to make that move," says Bondy.
The next municipal election is in the fall of 2018.