News from the Town of Essex | |
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Essex News photo of monarch butterfly courtesy of Lisa McGuire | |
Selectboard Work Plan for FY24
Putting together a prioritized strategic plan
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The Selectboard held a special meeting on May 8th to review annual strategic work plans from departments, boards, and committees. From this important work session, a prioritized plan was created.
Top priorities included union negotiations, recruitment of an Essex representative to the Communications Union District, the manager's contract renewal, work on the municipal complex and Tree Farm Management Plan, transitioning to a Planning Commission/Development Review Board, and a logo redesign.
To view the strategic plans and the full list of priorities, please visit the Town's website. Watch the meeting on the Town of Essex YouTube Channel:
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Vote on the Town of Essex Logo
As the Town of Essex looks toward its future, we are exploring options for a new logo. This brief survey will present some options for consideration and ask for feedback about what Essex town residents might like to see if they do not like the options being presented.
The Essex Police logo and Essex Free Library logo will remain unchanged.
Please only vote once. Voting ends Friday, June 16,Thank you for taking part!
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Annual Grand List Filing
What does the notice mean?
On June 20 2023, the Assessing Department will be filing the annual preliminary Grand List for 2023, with the Town Clerk’s Office. The Grand List is an individual list of all assessed values for real property and taxpayers of record as of April 1st of each year.
Once the Grand List is filed with the Clerk’s Office, per State Statute, it is required that the Grand List notice of filing be posted at five (5) public places. Once filed, any property owner that may have had a valuation change based upon permits and/or data corrections will be mailed a Change of Real Estate Value Letter. In addition, when the Grand List is filed, any property owner can review and may appeal their assessed value within the stated grievance period, if they do not feel it represents fair market value. All grievances must be in writing and submitted to the Assessing Department. Grievances must include documentation supporting what the property owner thinks is the fair market value of the property as of April 1st.
For contacts and additional information, please visit the Town website at Assessing Department I Essex, VT
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Municipal-wide Reappraisal Update | |
The upcoming reappraisal will include properties located in both the Town of Essex and the City of Essex Junction. The City of Essex Junction has contracted with the Town of Essex in completing the reappraisal for city properties. | |
Town of Essex FACTS:
Combined CLA (Town & City) as of 2022: 78.35%
Combined COD (Town & City): 11.83%
Combined Educational Equalized Grand List (Town & City) 2022: $3,478,584,505
Last Municipal-wide reappraisal: 2007
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CLA = Common Level of Appraisal
COD = Coefficient of Dispersion
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Essex Represented at Arbor Day Conference | |
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Photo L to R: Darren Schibler, Ken Signorello, Kent Johnson
Photo courtesy: Elise Schadler, VUCFP
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The Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program hosted a one-day conference in honor of Arbor Day on May 19th in Randolph. The conference honors professionals and stewards that care for trees in the community.
Essex Planner Kent Johnson, former Planner Darren Schibler, and Conservation & Trails Committee member Ken Signorello attended the event and received the Tree City USA award on behalf of the Town of Essex.
Included with the recognition are new street signs for Essex entry roads to proudly announce that Essex is a Tree City.
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3rd Annual Essex Community Juneteenth Celebration
WHEN: Sunday, June 18, 2023
TIME: 1 pm to 3 pm
WHERE: The Essex Experience Green
For more information, visit
voices4inclusion.org
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Join us and fellow sponsors for the 3rd Annual Essex Community Juneteenth Celebration! Music and entertainment will include Toussaint St. Negritude, DJ Cooper, and Harold Roudette. Delicious food will be available from Jilib Jiblets and Suga Mama's Treats.
The event is sponsored by Town of Essex, City of Essex Junction, Rotary International, Autumn Harp, and Salt + Bubbles Wine.
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Town Coffee Talks
Stop by JP's Restaurant & Deli to have a chat with Selectboard Chair Andy Watts and Town Manager Greg Duggan. The featured topic will be the recent prioritized work plan for FY24. Bring your questions about strategic planning or any other topics you would like to talk about. Town Coffee Talks are livestreamed on YouTube. We're working on improvements to our remote connection, so please, give it a try!
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Join us!
WHEN: Thursday, June 15, 2023
TIME: 10:30 am to 11:30 am
WHERE: JP's Restaurant & Deli, 39 River Road, Essex
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Parks & Recreation
Highlighted Event
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Youth Fishing Derby
WHEN: Saturday, June 10
TIME: 10am to 12pm
WHERE: Memorial Hall, 5 Towers Rd., Essex (walking distance from the library!)
Open to all youth ages 6-12 who love to fish! Fish will be weighed and measured at weigh stations and released. All fish must be within legal size and in season. The angler with the heaviest fish in each species category will win a prize. This event is sponsored by: Sherwin Electric Company
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Indian Brook Season/Daily Pass Information
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We now have staff onsite at Indian Brook who will be checking passes. City of Essex Junction and Town of Essex residents can purchase season passes at our office, online, over the phone, or onsite at Indian Brook. Daily passes can be purchased at Indian Brook. All purchases at Indian Brook are credit/debit cards only. | |
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Photo of Indian Brook Reservoir courtesy of Lauren Cohen
Send us your photos at [email protected]
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Sand Hill Pool Opens for the Season on June 24th
Dig out your trunks and goggles!
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Free locally-sourced produce for seniors
The Essex Area Senior Center will be receiving four large community supported agriculture (CSA) shares starting in mid June through early October on Thursdays. All seniors are encouraged to stop by between 12pm - 1pm on Thursdays to pick up some fresh fruit and vegetables.
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Essex Free Library
Highlighted Event
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Annual Book and Plant Sale
WHEN: Saturday, June 3
TIME: 9am to 3pm
WHERE: Memorial Hall, 5 Towers Rd., Essex (walking distance from the library!)
Proceeds to benefit the Summer Reading Program.
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Essex businesses showing up strong in the nominations for "Best of Vermont" 2023
Taking a look at the ballot for the Seven Daysies "Best of Vermont" for this year and you'll quickly see that Essex town businesses have made an impression!
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Categories include Services, Shopping, Culture, Outdoors, Food and Drink. Winning a category provides businesses incredible exposure to locals and visitors. Support your local shops, restaurants, services, and entrepreneurs and VOTE FOR ESSEX! | |
Essex Fire Department during the Memorial Day Parade 2023 | |
Did you know? - Quick Facts about boards and committees
- The Town holds hybrid meetings, so you could join a committee meeting while at home with your kids after a day at work! Connect and be involved with remote participation.
- Essex has a stipend program to assist with expenses like hiring a sitter to entertain the kids while you're in a meeting, paying for transportation to a meeting, or ordering the pizza for the family so you can participate. You may receive $50 per meeting to help with expenses or to use however you need.
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It's easy to apply. Visit our website to learn more. Hurry! Spring recruitment continues for many seats set to expire on June 30th.
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Chittenden County Communications Union District
The Town of Essex has joined the newly-formed Chittenden County Communications Union District (CCCUD) and is looking for a town resident to serve as the town's delegate on the Governing Board.
A Communications Union District is a municipal organization made up of two or more towns for the purpose of building, or causing to be built, communication infrastructure together. The main function of the CUD would be to deliver public funds to the providers to build the network and to provide public oversight to ensure broadband services is provided to underserved locations in accordance with Act 71. By working together, municipalities are more likely to attract a provider and leverage financial resources. For more information, please visit https://www.ccrpcvt.org/our-work/broadband/.
Currently, the CCCUD Governing Board meets two times per month (2nd and 4th Wednesdays) at 3pm. The meetings are approximately an hour long.
If you have a background or general knowledge of broadband and would like to represent Essex in this capacity, please consider applying today!
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Have you heard about the new Community Advisory Board?
As an independent board, the CAB's purpose is to facilitate communication between the Essex community and the EPD and provide feedback and support to the EPD on strategies and policy, especially around issues of equity.
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Central to this stated purpose is an emphasis on ensuring the voices and needs of systemically marginalized, disenfranchised and oppressed members of the community are heard with regard to public safety.
Volunteers may receive a $50 stipend per meeting to help out with transportation expenses, hiring a babysitter, or ordering supper for the family on the night of a meeting. You may spend this stipend as you choose.
Meetings are hybrid! This means you may participate online and still receive your stipend - the take-out for the family and the sitter may still be necessary so you can have the time to attend.
Mission Statement
The CAB's mission is to represent the diverse community of the Town of Essex and the City of Essex Junction in facilitating a positive, trusting, and effective relationship with the Essex Police Department (EPD). The CAB will provide honest and open feedback and serve as a conduit between law enforcement and the community to support the EPD in continuously meeting the highest standards of engagement, professional service, and protection.
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Other available positions
- Parks Maintenance Technician
- Cemetery Sexton
- Police Officer
- Highway Maintenance
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Essex News in July - The July edition of Essex News will be sent out a week later than usual on July 13th.
Fireworks Permitting Process - Before your event, be sure to check this out!
Check on your neighbors - With temps rising, check on your elderly friends, family, and neighbors who are generally considered at a higher risk for heat-related illnesses. Visit [email protected].
Essex Area Senior Center June Newsletter - Learn more about programs and events.
Sidewalk Ramps - Contract work to replace non-compliant sidewalk ramps within the Mansfield Village neighborhood is currently underway. Work is expected to conclude in June.
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June 5 - Selectboard Meeting
June 7 - Housing Commission Meeting
June 7 - Conservation & Trails Committee Meeting (rescheduled from 6/13)
June 8 - Planning Commission Meeting
June 18 - 3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration
June 19 - Offices closed - Juneteenth
June 21 - Housing Commission Meeting
June 22 - Planning Commission Meeting
June 26 - Selectboard Meeting
July 4 - Offices closed - Independence Day
July 11 - Conservation & Trails Committee Meeting
July 13 - Planning Commission Meeting
Be sure to look online for cancelations. When offices are closed, a drop box for payments is located outside the entrance door at the Town Offices at 81 Main Street, Essex Junction. Many services are available online at www.essexvt.org.
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