Essex Board of Selectmen Meeting | October 19, 2026

The Essex Board of Selectmen meeting on October 19, 2026, covered capital planning, the FY2028 budget, and the fall town meeting warrant. The largest project discussed was the Essex Elementary School replacement, estimated at just over $95.3 million, with nearly $21 million in Massachusetts School Building Authority reimbursement and the remaining cost shared between Essex and Manchester. The board voted to schedule a December 10 special election on the project’s Proposition 2½ override. Members reviewed financing options, including two years of temporary borrowing, but made no borrowing decision. The warrant also includes proposed funding for water-treatment carbon media replacement using PFAS-related funds, water and sewer rate studies, a DPW generator and equipment, and a police cruiser; these were warrant items, not contract awards. The board approved the weekly warrant for $457,626.53 and approved the retiree health-care renewal; no vendor or contract amount for the renewal was stated.

The board discussed Community Preservation Act proposals, including erosion-control work at Centennial Grove, kayak racks, and design and permitting for a rail-trail connection. Members agreed to advance proposals to the Community Preservation Committee for consideration, prioritizing erosion-control design and permitting, kayak racks, and rail-trail design and permitting; estimates discussed included $178,000 for the erosion project and $187,000 for rail-trail design and permitting. On fire services, the Finance Committee described a proposed $50,000 FY2028 budget reallocation to support two weekday shifts and a full-time fire chief. The board approved the chief’s position description and began organizing a screening committee. For the FY2028 budget process, officials said submissions will use ClearGov and that Finance Committee members will examine spending data, including subcontractor use. No procurement contract awards or vendor selections were identified.