Conservation and Trails Committee
The mission of the Conservation and Trails Committee is to inventory and study the natural, historic, educational, cultural, scientific, architectural, or archaeological resources of the town in which the public has an interest. The Committee also advises the Selectboard and Planning Commission on matters relating to the public understanding of local natural resources and conservation needs, development applications and acquisition of lands involving the above resources. For trails, the Committee mission is to preserve, develop and maintain a multi-use trail, sidewalk and greenway system in the Town of Essex which will link residential neighborhoods to natural areas, schools, parks, businesses, recreational facilities, community centers and neighboring towns.
Planning Commission
The Commission helps shape the future of the Town to support a thriving community through a wide range of planning initiatives. These include downtown revitalization, economic development, municipal service delivery, natural resource management, architecture and historic preservation, scenic views, locations of future recreation paths, and so much more. Commissioners collaborate with Community Development staff and other departments to define and achieve the community’s goals, conduct public outreach, update the Town Plan and Zoning / Subdivision Regulations, and review applications for (re)development. The Planning Commission meets every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month (only 2nd Thursdays in Nov. & Dec.) from 6:30 p.m. to approximately 8:30p.m., as well as occasional meetings with other municipal bodies.
Zoning Board of Adjustment
The purpose of the Zoning Board is to hear appeals of decisions rendered by the Zoning Administrator; review conditional use and variance requests, as well as unspecified uses on a property. "Conditional use" is to ensure that a proposal fits within an specific area; a "variance" allows for possible flexibility from the zoning regulation requirements; and an "unspecified use" allows for a special exception that is not defined in the zoning regulations.
Economic Development Commission
The Economic Development Commission is responsible for promoting the quality of life in Essex. The mission of the Commission is to assist with the retention, expansion and development of existing business; assist with the location and development of new industrial and commercial firms to Essex; plan for development to assure economic diversification and to provide the Selectboard with advice to enhance our commercial and industrial base.
Essex Free Library Board of Trustees
The Library Board of Trustees plays a significant role in developing policies and long-range plans, evaluating library service and promoting library use throughout the Town. The Trustees are responsible for hiring the Library Director and providing input on the annual budget for the library.
Energy Committee
The Essex Energy Committee's mission is to provide leadership to the citizens and is charged with tracking municipal energy use, recommending targets and actions for decreasing use, researching and recommending opportunities to utilize renewable energy sources and the efficient use of energy within town operations, developing and managing energy efficiency educational programs and creating annual reports on energy projects and opportunities.
Essex Representative for Green Mountain Transit Board of Commissioners
GMT is governed by a 13 member Board of Commissioners with two Commissioners representing Burlington and one Commissioner from Essex, Hinesburg, Milton, Shelburne, South Burlington, Winooski, Williston, Washington County, Franklin County, Lamoille County and Grand Isle County. Each Chittenden County commissioner is appointed to the GMT Board by their municipality. Commissioners set Board goals annually and these long-term goals guide the General Manager of GMT and the priorities of the Authority for that Fiscal Year.
The Town may appoint one alternate for each Board member it appoints to the GMT Board of Commissioners. The appointed alternate may attend meetings and vote in the Board Member's absence but will not have the ability to run as an Officer. Alternates attending meetings in the absence of a voting Board member will count toward fulfilling the definition of quorum. The term for alternates shall run concurrently with the term of the Board member for whom they were appointed.
Essex Representative Town Meeting TV Trustee
Interested in free speech and open government? You can play an important role in the present and future of Town Meeting Television. Governed by the Chittenden County Government Access Channel Trust, Town Meeting TV Trustees are appointed by the elected bodies of its member municipalities (Burlington, South Burlington, Essex, Essex Junction, Winooski, Williston, and Colchester). The Trustees are responsible for policy, negotiations with local cable companies, and reviewing financial matters. The Trustees meet between 4-6 times each year at Town Meeting TV in Burlington’s Old North End, or virtually. Trustees may be elected or appointed from the community at large and serve at the pleasure of their member municipalities.
Town Meeting TV is Chittenden County's regional government access TV channel, which airs 100 hours of public meetings, election coverage, and community events each month on Comcast and Burlington Telecom, at www.ch17.tv. and on Town Meeting TV's YouTube channel. We open the door to local government, and provide training and tools to inform the public and assist community members in speaking out on crucial issues. Launched in 1990 to cover municipal events and public issues, Town Meeting TV is overseen by regional representatives from Burlington, South Burlington, Essex, Essex Junction, Williston, Winooski, Colchester, and St. George. The mission of Town Meeting TV is to be a trusted provider of multimedia resources that opens the door to local government and engages citizens in democratic action.
Essex Representative Winooski Valley Park District Board of Trustees
WVPD is a cooperative partnership between communities along the Winooski River who share a common interest in protecting their natural resources. WVPD members include Burlington, Colchester, Essex, Jericho, South Burlington, Williston, and Winooski. Incorporated both as a Vermont Municipality and a 501c3 Nonprofit, WVPD takes advantage of municipal benefits (VLCT insurance, state retirement system) and nonprofit aspects (grants, administrative structure).
Each member town selects a Trustee to serve on the WVPD Board of Trustees. Meeting monthly, this highly engaged board formulates and approves the budget, tracks operations, makes decisions on capital projects and acquisitions, and hires and supervises the Executive Director to carry out the WVPD mission.
Housing Commission
The mission of the Joint Essex and Essex Junction Housing Commission is to help ensure that any resident (or aspiring resident) of Essex has access to a home that meets their needs. The Commission advises the Essex Selectboard, Essex Junction Board of Trustees, Planning Commissions, and other municipal boards and committees on the housing needs of the community, including review and consultation of policy and zoning changes related to housing. The Commission maintains and analyzes the community’s demographic and housing stock information and provides periodic updates on housing issues to elected officials. The Commission also works to educate the public on housing topics and develops partnerships with developers, non-profits, state agencies, and social service organizations to advance the community’s housing goals.
Apply online at BOARDS AND COMMITTEES