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Boards & Committees
Boards and committees fulfill an important role in town government by evaluating issues which affect the community and making recommendations to the Town Selectboard for action. The value of these bodies is a direct reflection of the interest and dedication of our citizens in making Essex a better place to live, work and play.
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Current Vacancies
View current board, committee, and commission vacancies and submit an application to be considered for seat.
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Board & Committee Resources
Documents, links, and information for Boards and Committees
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Board of Abatement
The Board of Abatement listens to tax appeals. Meetings are held on an as needed basis after being duly warned by the clerk.
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Board of Civil Authority & Justices of the Peace
The Board of Civil Authority is a quasi-judicial 21 member board consisting of fifteen Justices of the Peace, the Selectboard members and the Town Clerk. The Board’s duties are serving as an election official and assisting on Election Day and sitting on tax appeals. Meetings are held on an as needed basis after being duly warned by the clerk.
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Cemetery Commission
The Cemetery Commission will provide guidance for a well-maintained setting for the interment and commemoration of the deceased and for the comfort and inspiration of the bereaved and the public. The Commission will strive to accommodate the desires of families and individuals within the Town’s and Cemetery’s rules adopted for the operation of Mountain View Cemetery. The Commission wishes to provide compassionate and efficient service in a manner that respects human dignity.
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Charter Review Committee
The Charter Review Committee is an ad hoc work group with the mission to examine the existing Town of Essex Charter and propose any revisions.
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Conservation & Trails Committee
The mission of the Conservation & Trails Committee is to inventory and study the natural, historic, educational, cultural, scientific, architectural, or archaeological resources of the town in which the public has an interest; and to preserve, develop and maintain a multi-use trail, sidewalk, and greenway system in the Town of Essex that will link residential neighborhoods to natural areas, schools, parks, businesses, recreational facilities, community centers, and neighboring towns.
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Development Review Board
The DRB is charged with overseeing subdivision, site plan, conditional use, appeals, variances, and all other Board review applications.
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Economic Development Commission
The Economic Development Commission is responsible for promoting the quality of life in Essex. The mission of the Commission is to assist with the retention, expansion and development of existing business; assist with the location and development of new industrial and commercial firms to Essex; plan for development to assure economic diversification and to provide the Selectboard with advice to enhance our commercial and industrial base.
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Energy Committee
The Essex Energy Committee's mission is to provide leadership to the citizens and is charged with tracking municipal energy use, recommending targets and actions for decreasing use, researching and recommending opportunities to utilize renewable energy sources and the efficient use of energy within town operations, developing and managing energy efficiency educational programs and creating annual reports on energy projects and opportunities.
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Essex Free Library Board of Trustees
Library trustees are appointed by the Essex Town Selectboard to guide the library through policy-making and planning.
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Housing Commission
The Housing Commission maintains and analyzes the community’s demographic and housing stock information and provides periodic updates on housing issues to elected officials. The Commission also works to educate the public on housing topics and develops partnerships with developers, non-profits, state agencies, and social service organizations to advance the community’s housing goals.
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Memorial Hall Committee
The Memorial Hall Committee maintains Memorial Hall for the benefit of the entire community.
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Planning Commission
The Planning Commission helps shape the future of the Town to support a thriving community through a wide range of planning initiatives. These include downtown revitalization, economic development, municipal service delivery, natural resource management, architecture and historic preservation, scenic views, locations of future recreation paths, and so much more.
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Police Community Advisory Board
As an independent board, the PCAB's purpose is to facilitate communication between the Essex community and the Essex Police Department (EPD) and provide feedback and support to the EPD on strategies and policy, especially around issues of equity. 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 regards to public safety.
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Selectboard
The Town of Essex is governed by a council-manager form of government. It has a five-member nonpartisan Selectboard, which is elected at large and serves as the Town's primary legislative body. The Town Selectboard appoint the Town Manager to oversee day-to-day municipal operations, to draft a budget, and to implement and enforce Town policy and legislative initiatives.
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Regional Groups with Essex Representatives
Appointed Essex Representatives for regional boards, commissions, and committees.
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Tri-Town Sewer Committee
The Tri-Town Sewer Committee is an advisory committee whose purpose is for the "mutual understanding of the conditions under which the treatment of wastewater will be provided."
Watch Recorded Meetings
Can’t make it to a meeting but would like to see what happened? Town Meeting TV records the Selectboard and Planning Commission meetings. For meetings not covered by Town Meeting TV, the Town of Essex now has a YouTube Channel with growing playlists as we increase access to hybrid meetings.