Essex

Government · Planning Board

Essex Planning Board Advances Draft Decision on 36-Lot Open Space Subdivision

ESSEX -- May 20, 2026, Essex Planning Board debates open space control and public access for proposed 36-lot Bell Point subdivision. The board spent its May 20 meeting reviewing a draft decision for the

Townbrief reporting · May 20

Schools · School Committee

Essex Schools Add $300,000 to Building Study

Manchester Essex school board adds $300,000 to Essex Elementary feasibility study, covered by MSBA reimbursements rather than new local assessments, bringing the appropriation to $1.8 million.

Townbrief reporting · May 19

Government · Select Board

Essex Select Board caps commercial shellfish licenses at 45 amid historic clam shortage

ESSEX -- May 18, 2026, Essex Select Board installs Annie Cameron as chair and cuts commercial shellfish licenses nearly in half to 45. The board opened its May 18 meeting by unanimously electing Cameron chair,

Townbrief reporting · May 18

Schools · School Committee

Essex School Building Committee Moves Toward CM at Risk Vote on May 26

ESSEX -- May 12, 2026, Essex Elementary School Building Committee signals support for construction manager at risk model, defers formal vote to May 26. The committee heard a full presentation from GGD Consulting Engineers on

Townbrief reporting · May 12

Government · Planning Board

Essex Planning Board Continues Bell Point Subdivision Hearing Toward June 9 Deadline

ESSEX -- May 6, 2026, Essex Planning Board advances first-ever OSRD subdivision toward a June 9 decision deadline. The board unanimously continued its public hearing, now on its fifth continuation since March 4, on

Townbrief reporting · May 6

Government · Town Meeting

Essex Town Meeting Approves Two Override Questions Totaling $454,449 for May Ballot

ESSEX -- May 4, 2026, Essex Annual Town Meeting approves two Proposition 2.5 overrides and a new river user fee, sends both to May 11 ballot. Voters at the May 4 meeting passed a

Townbrief reporting · May 4

Schools · School Committee

Manchester Essex School Committee Advances Feasibility Study, Faces $300,000 Budget Increase

ESSEX -- May 4, 2026, Manchester Essex Regional School Committee advances school facilities feasibility milestone but discloses a $300,000 cost overrun. The School Building Committee voted unanimously on April 28 to approve the preferred

Townbrief reporting · May 4

Schools · School Committee

Essex School Building Committee Unanimously Approves PSR Submission and $7,500 OPM Amendment

ESSEX -- April 28, 2026, Essex school building committee approves 2,200-page feasibility report for state submission. The Essex Elementary School Building Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to authorize submission of the Preferred Schematic Report

Townbrief reporting · Apr 28

Government · Select Board

Essex Select Board Defers Shellfish Permit Vote, Seeks State Resource Study

ESSEX -- April 27, 2026, Essex Select Board defers action on reducing commercial shellfish permits, directing staff to consult state fisheries officials before setting a new cap. Shellfish Constable Billy told the board that only

Townbrief reporting · Apr 27

Schools · School Committee

Essex School Committee Hears $91–$93 Million Elementary School Cost Estimate

ESSEX -- April 27, 2026, Manchester Essex Regional School District's School Committee received a $91 million to $93 million cost range for the proposed new Essex elementary school at its April 27 meeting.

Townbrief reporting · Apr 27