Board of Public Works approves FY27 budget, delays sewer project review.
The Essex Board of Public Works approved its FY27 budget for submission to the Finance Committee, marking overall departmental spending down roughly $400,000 despite line-item increases tied to union contracts and rising service costs. Chairman Nick Ellis, Commissioner Westley Burnham, and
Board of Public Works · Meeting of January 5, 2026
ESSEX — The Essex Board of Public Works approved its FY27 budget for submission to the Finance Committee, marking overall departmental spending down roughly $400,000 despite line-item increases tied to union contracts and rising service costs. Chairman Nick Ellis, Commissioner Westley Burnham, and Commissioner Dexter Doane voted unanimously on the budget. The board postponed approval of additional sewer flow for 10 John Wise Avenue pending review of new state accessory dwelling unit law.
A three-bridge engineering study ballooned to roughly $264,000 against available state funding of $60,000, and the board directed staff to negotiate the cost down. Ellis flagged durability concerns with the proposed tennis court design and requested a meeting with consultants before final approval.
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Source: the Board of Public Works meeting of January 5, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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