Essex Board of Selectmen Meeting | May 18, 2026

The Essex Board of Selectmen held a meeting on May 18, 2026, where they discussed various administrative and community matters. Key procurement-related topics included the approval of a purchase order for a new police cruiser funded by a prior appropriation of $73,000, with the order amount being less than the appropriation to allow for outfitting costs. The board also considered the installation of kayak racks at Redgate Road to manage storage and enforce fees, with plans to obtain quotes for the racks. Additionally, the board reviewed and approved several permits and licenses, including commercial shellfish permits and auction permits. They also discussed fee structures for town services and permits, emphasizing the need for departments to review and justify fees to ensure they align with service costs and statutory limits. The board voted to appoint a member to the Affordable Housing Trust and approved the weekly warrant totaling $148,552.93. Other discussions involved strategic planning for town facilities and community events, but no new contracts or RFPs were initiated during this meeting.