Essex Board Weighs Fire Chief Reporting Change
Select Board · Meeting of August 24, 2026
Essex Select Board weighs a fire chief who answers directly to the board. Staffer Brendan told the board the Board of Fire Engineers reached consensus August 18 on exploring a Section 42A "working" fire chief, with a possible $45,000 budget gap in a future fiscal year against roughly $61,000 to $62,000 in lapsed salary now available. Visiting state Senator Bruce Tarr said the newly reconstituted Foundation Budget Review Commission will meet in September, with minimum per-pupil aid for Manchester Essex Regional having grown from $30 to $160 per student.
The board also learned the town has secured $120,000 to study three bridges and has a $150,000 economic development earmark and $1 million wastewater earmark pending. Members voted 3-0 to enter executive session over the police union contract and unanimously approved two one-day liquor and entertainment licenses for Wood Fired LLC's Rivers Bend.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,859 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of August 24, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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