Essex Approves $23 Million Budget and New River Use Fee
Essex voters approved $23 million in combined operating and school budgets at the annual town meeting, with 247 residents present. The appropriations included $10.5 million for general operations, $10.9 million for the Manchester-Essex Regional School District, and $257,127 for the Essex North
DocumentCenter · Meeting of May 4, 2026
Essex voters approved $23 million in combined operating and school budgets at the annual town meeting, with 247 residents present. The appropriations included $10.5 million for general operations, $10.9 million for the Manchester-Essex Regional School District, and $257,127 for the Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School. Capital projects totaling over $600,000 were authorized for water mains, sewer repairs, and equipment.
Voters approved a new River Use Fee bylaw, 104 to 97, effective January 1, 2027, charging $5 per foot of vessel length with a 12-foot minimum. The town rejected a proposal to repeal the Open Space Residential Development Zoning Bylaw.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 702 words
Source: the DocumentCenter meeting of May 4, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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