Essex County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Essex Planning Commission approves gas station sign zoning; Selectboard to weigh municipal complex contracts

The most consequential decision in the past two weeks came from the Planning Commission, which voted 5-1 to approve zoning language allowing illuminated electronic pricing signs for gas stations. The change, approved at the commission's Aug. 13 meeting, updates the town's zoning rules and will apply to future gas station signage. No other formal decisions of comparable scope were made in the period.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission met Aug. 13 and, in addition to the gas station sign vote, approved its agenda (5-0) and the minutes from its July 9 meeting (6-0). The commission discussed, but took no final action on, its fiscal year 2027 work plan, steep slope regulations, and a potential UVM internship for Fort Ethan Allen planning. Staff will review feedback on the work plan and present a draft at the next meeting.

Conservation & Trails Committee

The Conservation & Trails Committee, meeting Aug. 11, set the fall cleanup day for Sept. 26 from noon to 2 p.m., with a rain date of Sept. 27, on an 8-0 vote. It also authorized Ken Signorello to prepare applications to use Conservation Reserve Funds for easement purchases at 15 Kimberly Drive and 33 Windridge Road, both by 8-0 votes. The committee approved its July 14 minutes as amended (8-0) and agreed to place the Town of Essex Tree Plan on the next agenda as an action item. A motion to reconsider trail name recommendations failed 0-8.

Cemetery Commission

The Cemetery Commission met Aug. 12 but made no substantive decisions. It postponed approval of its June 24 minutes and deferred its FY27 budget review to the next meeting. The commission discussed stone repair, stump removal, gate repair, and fence repair, but all actions were tabled or assigned for further investigation. No votes were taken.

Energy Committee

The Energy Committee, meeting Aug. 12, approved its June 10 minutes unanimously. It assigned follow-up action items for event tabling, a solar commendation letter, charter review, a geothermal test well, and a fleet EV count. No formal votes were taken on these items.

Economic Development Commission

The Economic Development Commission held a special in-person meeting Aug. 20 at 520 BBQ & Grill on Center Road for a business outreach visit. The agenda included public comment, new business, and reading-file items (Town Fair 2026, a message from resident Cheryl Van Epps, and an article and letter regarding Ray's Seafood Market). No formal decisions were listed; minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

The Selectboard will hold its regular meeting Aug. 24 at 6:30 p.m. The board will consider authorizing the Town Manager to execute contracts for engineering services for the new municipal complex at 80 & 90 Upper Main St. and for a sole-source IT infrastructure upgrade. It will also discuss a possible bonus for the Town Manager, interview and possibly appoint a volunteer to the Housing/EDC, and discuss budget goals for fiscal year 2028. Several items are marked for potential executive session.

Essex Selectboard sets FY2027 tax rates, approves fire truck; DRB OKs 8-lot subdivision

The Essex Selectboard approved the town's FY2027 tax rates and a $72,356 fire truck purchase at its Aug. 3 meeting, while the Development Review Board approved an 8-lot commercial subdivision at 15 Leo Drive. Other boards met on housing, energy, and economic development during the past two weeks.

Selectboard sets tax rates, approves fire truck

The Selectboard voted 5-0 to approve the FY2027 municipal tax rates: a general fund rate of 0.4330, a local agreement rate of 0.0017, and a capital tax of 0.0500, for a total municipal rate of 0.4847. The board also approved the purchase of a 2026 Ford F150 for the Fire Department for $72,356, with one dissenting vote (4-1, Lawrence dissenting).

In other action, the board appointed Edith Klimoski as alternate to the CSWD Board, Dawn Hill-Fleury to the Police Community Advisory Board, and Ken Goodnow to the Energy Committee, all by 5-0 votes. It also approved the Town Manager's appointment of Brittany McGregor as Zoning Administrator and Health Officer (5-0), approved changes to the Investment Policy (5-0), and adopted a Resolution of Appreciation for Sharon Kelley (5-0).

Development Review Board approves commercial subdivision

The Development Review Board approved the final subdivision application for an 8-lot commercial subdivision at 15 Leo Drive, with amended conditions including sustained visual screening plantings and a recreational trail easement. The vote was 4-0. The board also approved minutes from its June 4 and July 2 meetings with corrections, both unanimously.

Housing Commission defers trust fund spending

The Essex Housing Commission voted 4-0 to defer a previous decision on how to spend the $30,000 Housing Trust Fund seed money, opting to first research funding sources and gather more information. The commission also approved its agenda and minutes from July 7, 2026, both by 4-0 votes.

Other recent meetings

Several other boards met but have not yet published minutes, so no decisions are recorded:

• **Selectboard (July 27):** Agenda included approval of Justice of the Peace candidates and local questions for the November general election ballot, and an application for an extension to file the grand list.
• **Energy Committee (July 29):** Agenda covered progress on the Upper Main Geothermal project, an article on Essex Spa and Resort solarization, Champlain Valley Expo participation, and a Window Dressers follow-up.
• **Economic Development Commission (Aug. 6):** Agenda included election of officers, review of the annual work plan, development applications, and scheduling of business outreach visits.

Coming up

• **Conservation & Trails Committee (Aug. 11):** Will set a date for Fall Clean Up Day, discuss the Town of Essex Tree Plan, and consider using Conservation Reserve Funds for properties at 15 Kimberly Drive and 33 Windridge Road.
• **Energy Committee (Aug. 12):** Will decide on Champlain Valley Expo participation, an article on Essex Spa and Resort solarization, and a charter discussion, among other items.
• **Cemetery Commission (Aug. 12):** Will review the FY27 budget, hear the sexton's report, and consider stone repair, tree/shrub/stump removal, and a quote from L&D.
• **Planning Commission (Aug. 13):** Will develop its FY27 work plan and discuss electronic gas pricing signs, a UVM internship opportunity, and steep slope regulations.

Essex meeting roundup: Recent outcomes unavailable; Selectboard to set FY2027 tax rates Aug. 3

Essex County residents have several consequential meetings on the horizon, but the outcomes of three recent public meetings remain unavailable because minutes have not yet been published. The most significant upcoming item is the Selectboard's scheduled consideration of fiscal year 2027 tax rates on Aug. 3, 2026.

Recent meetings: agendas only, no minutes

Three bodies met between July 21 and July 29, but only agendas are available for each. No votes, approvals, or other outcomes can be confirmed from the record provided.

Police Community Advisory Board (July 21, 2026) — The agenda listed a vote on PCAB positions, discussion of the Coming Together Summit and National Night Out, approval of minutes from June 16, 2026, and public comment. Minutes have not been published.

Selectboard (July 27, 2026) — The agenda included approval of Justice of the Peace candidates and local questions for the November general election ballot, plus an application for an extension to file the grand list. Minutes have not been published.

Energy Committee (July 29, 2026) — The committee was scheduled to review progress on the Upper Main Geothermal project, an article regarding Essex Spa and Resort Solarization, participation in the Champlain Valley Expo, a Window Dressers follow-up, and a charter review. Minutes have not been published.

Coming up

Selectboard — Monday, Aug. 3, 2026

The Selectboard will interview and possibly appoint an Alternate Representative to the Chittenden Solid Waste District Board, a member of the Police Community Advisory Board, and an Energy Committee volunteer. The board will also consider approving the Town Manager's appointments of Zoning Administrator and Health Officer.

On the financial side, the board will consider a capital vehicle purchase of Car 10 for the Essex Fire Department, changes to the Investment Policy, and the fiscal year 2027 tax rates. No dollar amounts or proposed rates are listed in the agenda.

Housing Commission — Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026

The Housing Commission will review and revote on the Housing Trust Fund Proposal. The agenda also includes creation of workgroups for Housing Inventory and Mapping updates, discussion of a Pilot Projects Funding Strategy, review of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) programs through the State of Vermont, and review of a Housing Affordability Model and Calculator.

Development Review Board — Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026

The Development Review Board will hold a public hearing on a proposed 8-lot commercial subdivision at 15 Leo Drive, listed as 17.68 acres, in the Industrial and Scenic Resource Preservation Overlay districts. The board will also review its Communication Policy and legal decision review process, and consider approval of minutes from June 4 and July 2, 2026.

What to watch

The Aug. 3 Selectboard meeting carries the most direct impact on residents' wallets, with fiscal year 2027 tax rates on the agenda. The Aug. 6 Development Review Board hearing on 15 Leo Drive is the only land-use decision scheduled this week. Residents interested in housing policy may want to attend or follow the Aug. 5 Housing Commission meeting, where the Housing Trust Fund Proposal is set for a revote.

Essex County roundup: Selectboard removes Ethan Allen Avenue speed bump, commissions set new leadership

The Selectboard voted 3-2 to accept an appeal and order removal of the speed bump on Ethan Allen Avenue, the most consequential decision in a busy two weeks of Essex County meetings. The board also adopted two Parks & Recreation studies and reappointed the town's representative to the Winooski Valley Park District.

Selectboard — July 13

The Selectboard approved its consent agenda (4-0) and reappointed Jeff Theis as the Essex representative to the Winooski Valley Park District (5-0). The board adopted the Parks & Recreation Needs Assessment (5-0) and the Parks & Recreation Impact Fee Analysis (5-0). The speed bump removal on Ethan Allen Avenue passed 3-2 after the board accepted a resident appeal.

Planning Commission — July 9

The Planning Commission elected Josh Knox as Chair (6-0), Georgia Lavigne as Vice Chair (6-0), and Jonathan Schumacher as Clerk (6-0). The commission approved making Kennel, Machine Repair Shop – Minor, and Veterinary Clinic conditional uses in the RPD-I District (6-0). June 11, 2026 minutes were approved (4-0-2). The agenda was approved (6-0) and the meeting adjourned (6-0).

Housing Commission — July 7

The Housing Commission elected Lois Whitmore as Chair (4-0), Lorraine Zaloom as Vice Chair (4-0), and Cheryl Van Epps as Clerk (4-0). The amended agenda was approved (4-0) and previous meeting minutes were approved (3-0). The commission set a recurring meeting time of 6 PM on the first Wednesday of every month, with the next meeting scheduled for August 5.

Conservation & Trails Committee — July 14

The committee elected Bino Cummings as Chair (8-0-1, one abstention), Erin De Vries as Vice Chair (unanimous support), and Duane Millar Barlow as Clerk (8-0-1, one abstention). Minutes from June 9, 2026 were approved (9-0). The committee adopted a recommendation to the Development Review Board that the applicant bury utility lines on the 15 Leo Drive subdivision project. The motion to transmit that recommendation passed 9-0.

Cemetery Commission — July 15

The Cemetery Commission postponed approval of the June 24, 2026 minutes because the document had not been reviewed; no vote was recorded. Commissioners were assigned follow-up tasks, including obtaining quotes for stump removal and gate repair and investigating volunteer participation for stone repairs. The next meeting is scheduled for August 12, 2026 at 11:00 am.

Coming up

• **Police Community Advisory Board — July 21:** The board will vote on PCAB positions, discuss the Coming Together Summit and National Night Out, and consider approval of minutes from June 16, 2026. Public comment is included on the agenda.