Selectmen split 2-1 on government study panel
Essex selectmen weigh a $50,000 fire budget gap as they plan to hire a full-time chief. Town officials project the fiscal 2028 fire budget could climb to $316,000 under a full-time chief model, versus roughly $267,000 budgeted for current staffing, with a hire targeted for February 1, 2027.
Select Board · Meeting of September 14, 2026
Essex selectmen weigh a $50,000 fire budget gap as they plan to hire a full-time chief. Town officials project the fiscal 2028 fire budget could climb to $316,000 under a full-time chief model, versus roughly $267,000 budgeted for current staffing, with a hire targeted for February 1, 2027. The board split 2-1 to launch a two-step government study committee tasked with recommending whether Essex pursues bylaw changes, a special act, or a full charter commission.
Selectmen approved $137,373.69 in weekly warrants, authorized a $2,500 payment to the town's cardiac screening program for a film crew's use of the police station, and heard from call firefighter Jake McNeely, who warned that cutting fire department support for events like the Clam Fest and car show risks losing "that avenue of advertising" for recruiting volunteers.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,433 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of September 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Share this story
Know someone in Essex County who follows town government? Share Townbrief Essex County: they can sign up free.