ESSEX, Vt. (WCAX) – After the separation of Essex and Essex Junction, town leaders say they need their own space. The Essex town offices are currently located in the city, but leaders have laid out a new vision to move them and establish a new community hub for the town.
“I think It’s a good idea,” said Andrea Clark of Essex. “I think when you have things close to your house it’s easy for everyone.”
Clark says there’s no place for people to congregate in town and she thinks the idea could be beneficial for the community.
“You know, when you have kids– I don’t have kids, but I do have nieces and nephews. When you have things to do around, like a library, things like that, it’s really fun, too,” Clark said.
The town bought about 32 acres of land off Upper Main Street just off the Circ Highway. It was a $3 million purchase with the help of federal ARPA funds.
Essex Selectboard Chair Andy Watts says the plan is to at least build new town offices on the property, with more to come.
“Where we purchased the land has for a long time been defined as the center of Essex,” Watts said.
The hope is to also add a new fire station; Watts says the current one is small and outdated.
Essex Fire Chief Charles Cole says last year, the department received more than 1,600 calls, averaging four calls a day.
As the community grows more every year, Cole says so must the fire station.
“Fifty years ago these two bays that you see here were what we had. Then over time, they added to the rear. Then they added to the side. We are now at that point again where we need to adapt our equipment. We need to have other facilities for training, crew quarters that this building footprint can’t provide,” the chief said.
The town anticipates the municipal buildings would cost around $40 million, and hopes for grant money to reduce the cost on taxpayers once a bond amount is determined. That’s something concerning to some.
“I could say it would be nice, but I worry about the cost because I think we are all paying too much as it is. All over, for anything, everything,” said Meredith Anderson of Essex.
The town will soon put out a letter of intent for a consultant to come help them with a plan and vision for the site. In the next couple of weeks, officials will also do public outreach for feedback.
