Essex
Upcoming
Board of Public Works
The Board of Public Works will discuss brush cutting on Eastern Avenue, hold a hearing on a tree matter on Choate Street, receive updates on well repair and water status, and note a future public hearing on the Apple Street/Access Road intersection on July 15.
- Choate Street tree hearing
- Brush cutting along Eastern Ave
- Well repair update
- Water status update
- Apple St/Access Road intersection public hearing on July 15
Council on Aging
The Essex Council on Aging board will review and approve June meeting minutes, discuss creating a policy for canceling activities and events, and receive the director's report on programs, membership, and facilities. Committee reports include an FYE 26 financial update, strategic planning, and grant updates.
- Approval of June 2, 2026 meeting minutes
- Discussion of activity and event cancellation policy
- FYE 26 Financial Report (account balances and other money matters)
- Updates on strategic planning, standing rules, and MSC database
- Grants update from Pam Liaperdos
Planning Board
The Planning Board will participate in a joint meeting with the Affordable Housing Trust to discuss next steps for the Housing Production Plan. No regular board business will be conducted, though discussion of potential Zoning Bylaw updates may occur.
- Discussion of next steps for Housing Production Plan
- Possible discussion of Zoning Bylaw updates
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will attend and possibly participate in the Finance Committee meeting. No other items are on the agenda, making this a procedural-only meeting.
Last 30 days
Planning Board
The July 1, 2026 Planning Board meeting has been canceled. The next regular meeting is on July 15, 2026, and the board will participate in a Board of Selectmen meeting on July 13, 2026, to discuss next steps for the Housing Production Plan.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee will consider line-item transfers, approve minutes, and receive liaison department reports. Public comment will be taken. The agenda contains only routine procedural items.
- Public comment period
- Approval of meeting minutes
- Line-item transfers discussion
- Liaison department reports
Board of Selectmen
This is a procedural agenda item with no substantive decisions or discussions. The Board of Selectmen will attend and possibly participate in a Finance Committee meeting.
- Attend and possibly participate in the Finance Committee meeting
Safety Committee
The committee is meeting to establish safety goals and objectives for the 2027 fiscal year. Members will discuss the status of the MIIA Loss Control Grant and review building inspection forms. The body will also coordinate OSHA compliance efforts with the Board of Health Administrator.
- FY27 MIIA Loss Control Grant planning
- Review of building inspection forms
- OSHA compliance coordination status
- FY27 Safety Committee goals and objectives
The committee approved the minutes from March 26, 2026 unanimously. No substantive decisions were made; the meeting focused on updates regarding a loss control grant, building inspections, and FY27 goals for employee training and safety equipment.
- Approved March 26, 2026 minutes (unanimous)
Conservation Commission
The Commission will continue a public hearing regarding Bell Point LLC's plan for an Open Space Residential Development. The agenda also includes discussions on potential environmental violations at John Wise Avenue, Western Avenue, and Pond Street.
- Public hearing: Bell Point LLC roadway and utility construction at 0 Essex Park Rd
- Possible violation: 99 John Wise Avenue
- Possible violation: 0 Western Avenue
- Notice of Violation: 30 Pond Street gravel fill restoration plan modification
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will approve a weekly warrant of $299,088.65 and a long list of appointments for town committees, boards, and the fire department. The meeting also includes a report on town administration and several procedural items.
- Weekly warrant approval for $299,088.65
- Appointment of 50+ Fire Department personnel
- Consideration of a possible MOA with AFSCME Union
- Approval of a Massachusetts Conflict of Interest Law exemption
- Consideration of using Town Events Fund for Essex Riverday
Historical Commission
The Essex Historical Commission will review any new demolition permits received since the last meeting, discuss updates on the Frederick Douglass in Massachusetts book and the property at 44 Main Street, and appoint a delegate to the Community Preservation Committee.
- Review of new demolition permits
- Frederick Douglass in Massachusetts book update
- 44 Main Street property update
- Appointment of delegate to Community Preservation Committee
Planning Board
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing and vote on the definitive subdivision plan for a 36-lot residential development. The board will also review a new building siting request and discuss updates to board regulations and town bylaws.
- Definitive Subdivision Plan for The Preserve at Essex (0 Essex Park Road and 0 Pond Street Rear)
- Waiver requests for The Preserve at Essex subdivision
- Siting of a new building at 100 Belcher Street
- Planning Board Rules and Regulations update
- Discussion on future town bylaw updates
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen agreed to allow the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum to use the Town Landing ramp for hand-carrying rowboats for educational and scientific purposes. They also favored the museum cleaning phragmites and old pier remnants, but deferred issuing a license until those projects are completed with Conservation Commission approval. The Board took under advisement the museum's request for a general license and asked town counsel to draft a task-based agreement. No vote tallies were recorded.
- Allowed use of Town Landing ramp for educational rowboat access
- Favored museum cleaning phragmites and pier remnants, pending Conservation Commission approval
- Deferred issuing a general license until after successful completion of phragmites and pier projects
- Town counsel to review and create a task-based license agreement for next meeting
- Agreed museum not required to make Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT)
- Postponed discussion on cultural district recertification pending more details