Selectmen advance Fire Chief search, appoint Lee-Viator to committee
Essex Selectmen advanced a Fire Chief search with screening committee formation. The Board unanimously appointed Selectman Dexter Lee-Viator to the five-member committee but postponed position approval pending a financial plan to address a projected $50,000 fiscal 2028 budget deficit due October 19.
Board of Selectmen · Meeting of October 5, 2026
Essex Selectmen advanced a Fire Chief search with screening committee formation. The Board unanimously appointed Selectman Dexter Lee-Viator to the five-member committee but postponed position approval pending a financial plan to address a projected $50,000 fiscal 2028 budget deficit due October 19. The Board also rejected an interim chief proposal, deciding instead to maintain the Board of Fire Engineers during the transition period.
In other action, the Board unanimously approved Nelson DeMelo as manager of Marshview Farm Store (contingent on CORI clearance) and appointed firefighters Ryan Crompton and Cory Goodwin for a partial one-year term.
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Source: the Board of Selectmen meeting of October 5, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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