Essex Board of Selectmen Awards $294,200 Fuel Depot Contract, Eyes $371,000 Boat Grant

ESSEX -- August 18, 2025, Essex Board of Selectmen awards $294,200 fuel depot contract and ratifies federal boat grant application. The board voted unanimously Monday to award the municipal fuel depot construction contract to SRS Petroleum Services of West Bridgewater, the lowest of five bids, leaving $75,000 in available project funds for electrical work. In a detailed operational briefing, Police and Harbormaster Chief Alba Shamschak documented a steep drop in harbor appropriations, from $77,000 in fiscal year 2021 to $39,150 this year, with only $7,482 in salary funds and $212 in boat fuel remaining as of August 18. The board also ratified the Board of Selectmen chair's signature on a Port Security Grant Program application for a $371,000 harbormaster patrol vessel requiring a roughly $93,000 local match, while Finance Committee Chair Jody Harris warned that the town's $48,000 waterways fund "can't do both", cover operating relief and serve as the grant match. The board unanimously adopted a state-required cannabis host community equity policy, approved a new $450-per-transport EMS billing agreement with Manchester Fire Department recommended by Fire Chief Christian Hassel, and adopted a local option allowing wine-and-malt license holders to convert to all-alcohol licenses within the town's existing quota of 14.