Essex public meetings in 2023
5 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen approved a $15,000 grant application for the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum and several one-day event licenses. They also voted to place a request for a $35,000 senior demographics survey and a COA staffing change on the Fall Town Meeting warrant. The Board noted the town lacks the tax levy capacity to fund a potential 2.5% increase for the FY2025 school budget.
- Approved $15,000 Cultural District Investment Grant application (Unanimous)
- Approved request to place $35,000 senior demographics survey on Fall Town Meeting warrant (Unanimous)
- Approved replacing COA Clerk with a part-time Volunteer and Activity Coordinator for the Fall Town Meeting warrant (Unanimous)
- Approved multiple one-day entertainment and wine/malt licenses for Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum (Unanimous)
- Approved multiple one-day entertainment licenses for Riversbend at Essex Marina LLC (2-0, 1 abstention)
- Approved Annual All Alcohol Restaurant License for Bia Mor Hospitality LLC (Unanimous)
- Approved Senior Commercial Shellfish Permit for Richard Buczko (Unanimous)
- Tabled lifeguard parking placard request for Conomo Point Association
Board of Public Works
The Board approved a $10 rate increase per piece of equipment for the 2023-2024 snow plow season. Members discussed updates to the transfer station pad and upcoming state paving schedules.
- Approved minutes for July 24 and August 7 meetings (unanimous)
- Approved $10 rate increase per piece of equipment for 2023-2024 plow season (unanimous)
Planning Board
The Planning Board approved the siting of three new structures based on requests from Building Inspector Bill Sanborn. The board also received updates regarding the MAPC Bylaw Project and the search for an Administrative Assistant.
- Approved siting of new building at 166 Eastern Avenue (unanimous)
- Approved siting of new pavilion at 0 Centennial Grove (4-1)
- Approved siting of new barn at 4 Belcher Street (unanimous)
Board of Library Trustees
The Board reviewed the resignation of Library Director Deb French and the plan to post the job vacancy. Trustees discussed whether to change the position from hourly to salaried. Trustee Carla Christensen expressed interest in applying for the position and will recuse herself from hiring activities.
- Planned public reception for Deb French on October 19
- Determined job posting requires updated salary and town contact info
- Established process for posting job for 10 days on Town Hall bulletin board
- Agreed that Town Administrator will handle final offers and negotiations
- Carla Christensen recused herself from hiring activities to apply for Director position
- Rob Fitzgibbon to consult FinCom regarding hourly vs. salaried status
Board of Public Works
The Board approved a cemetery deed for a 4-grave lot. Other items discussed included transfer station updates, water plant upgrades, and snow plow rates, though no further formal votes were recorded.
- Approved Cemetery deed for Witham 4 grave lot