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1. Where can I access frequently requested phone numbers?

You can access frequently requested phone numbers in the Staff Directory. The following phone numbers are some of the most frequently requested:

• Assessor: 802-878-1345 (Property Valuation)
• Chittenden Solid Waste District: 802-872-8111 (Recycling)
• Essex High School: 802-879-7121
• Essex Junction Parks and Recreation: 802-878-1375
• Essex Police Department (Non-Emergency): 802-878-8331
• Essex Town Clerk: 802-879-0413 (Marriage, Birth, Death Certificates)
• U.S. Post Office: 802-878-3085 (Essex Way) or 802-879-7794(Pearl Street)
• Vermont State Tax Department: 802-828-2865 (Homestead and Property Tax)

2. Where do I vote if I live in the Village?

Village residents vote at Essex High School. The General Election is run by the Town Clerk, early/absentee voting can be done at the Town Office. Requests for absentee ballots can be made by calling 802-879-0413.

3. What are the Village Office hours?

The Village Office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

4. Do I live in the Village?

View the Village Street List (PDF) to see a list of Village streets in alphabetical order. If you live on one of these streets and have an Essex Junction mailing address, you live in the Village.

5. What is the difference between Essex Junction and Essex Town?

Essex Junction is an incorporated village within Essex Town.

6. What does being an incorporated village mean?

Many towns and cities have villages or sections of the community that are referred to as villages but most of them are not incorporated villages. In Vermont, an incorporated village is a legal municipality. Incorporated villages have elected governments which have the authority to raise taxes and institute and enforce municipal laws. Under state law, incorporated village governments have all the same rights and responsibilities as town and city governments.

However, incorporated villages must also be associated with a town. They remain part of that town's grand list and come under the jurisdiction of the town clerk. As long as both sides agree, villages and towns may each have their own municipal services or they may share some or all of them.

Essex Junction and Essex Town each have their own public works departments, fire departments, planning and zoning departments, and recreation departments and libraries. However, they share the same police department. Some essential government functions, such as assessing property values, are performed only by Essex Town.

7. I live in Essex Junction, so why do I pay taxes to Essex Town?

As mentioned, incorporated villages are associated with a town and remain part of that town's grand list. Essex Junction is associated with Essex Town, which means that all Essex Junction residents and businesses are part of Essex Town's grand list and, therefore, can be taxed by Essex Town.

8. If I'm being taxed by Essex Junction for municipal services delivered by the Village government and I'm also being taxed by Essex Town, what services does the Town provide?

The budget for the Essex Police Department is contained within the Essex Town budget. So are some other essential municipal services such as property assessment, elections, and vital records. For example, the deeds and titles for all the properties in Essex Junction and Essex Town are maintained by the Essex Town clerk's office.

9. If we must pay taxes to Essex Town, why not just have one local government? Wouldn't that be easier?

The present governing structure was established by the Vermont Legislature in the 19th century so that Essex Town residents outside of the village area would not have to pay for infrastructure development and municipal operations within the village area of the town. This was during a period when the village, which eventually became Essex Junction, was experiencing rapid economic development while the remainder of the town was still largely rural.

Over the last few decades, there have been a number of attempts to reorganize the local governments, but none of them have won the approval of the majority of voters in the Village and Town.

10. Are there any benefits to keeping the present local government system?

We believe that having a village government as well as a town government provides Essex Junction residents with a higher quality of municipal services at relatively low cost, compared to other communities in Chittenden County. It allows us to provide excellent street and sidewalk maintenance, excellent fire safety services, an excellent community library, and a small, accessible municipal government that has the resources and flexibility to respond to your needs.

For more information about the history and organization of Essex Junction, visit the History of Essex Junction page.

11. I don’t like sending large checks through the mail. Where do I go to pay my taxes in person and get a receipt?

You can pay all your Property taxes at either the Town office, or the Essex Junction Village offices on Lincoln Street at Five Corners. An option is also available to have your tax payments automatically withdrawn from your bank account on the due date. Access the authorization form (PDF) for that service.

12. Who do I call if I have a question about my homestead declaration and property tax adjustment?

The homestead declaration and property tax adjustment are administered through the Vermont State Tax Department. You can call the Taxpayer Services for Homestead Declaration and Property Tax Adjustment Claims number at 1-866-828-2865 (toll free in Vermont), 1-802-828-2865 (local or out-of-state), or email the Tax Department.

13. If I’m an Essex Junction resident, where do I go for a zoning permit?

You go to the Essex Junction municipal office at Five Corners. The Essex Junction Development Director and/or Assistant Zoning Administrator authorizes permits within the Village of Essex Junction.

14. Who do I call to report a problem about a street, sidewalk, sign, streetlight, hydrant, or sewer?

The best place to start is the Village office at 802-878-6944. Someone there will be able to take your call and direct the problem to the appropriate person within the Village government. If there is an emergency water or sewer problem after office hours, call the Essex Police at 802-878-8331 and they will contact the public works pager.

15. If I’m an Essex Junction resident, can I still use services in Essex Town?

Absolutely. All Essex Junction residents are also residents of Essex Town and are entitled to use all Town services and facilities, such as the Essex Free Library, the Essex Recreation Department, Indian Brook reservoir, and all Essex Town hiking and biking paths. Visit the Town website for more information.