Municipal Newsletter from the  Town of Essex

May 2024

Salamander photo courtesy: Ken Signorello

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How will the reappraisal impact what I pay in property taxes?

Why are we doing a reappraisal now?

Does the reappraisal equalize what the Town/City pays to the State for the education tax? 

Bring your questions to the next Town Coffee Talk. Town and City residents are invited to attend this special coffee talk event to discuss the reappraisal work taking place in both the Town of Essex and the City of Essex Junction. Catalis Reappraisal Project Supervisor Bill Krajeski will be on hand to answer questions and talk with residents. Light refreshments will be served. 

Town of Essex Offices at 81 Main Street, Essex Junction

May 15 at 6:00 pm

This meeting is held in person, but you may also attend by joining on Zoom:

Zoom meeting ID: 987 8569 1140

Passcode: 032060

Send your comments & feedback

Can't make it to the Reappraisal Coffee Talk or just prefer to type out your thoughts? Provide your comments and feedback with this quick and easy online form.

You’re eating out with friends and when the bill is delivered to your table, it is suggested that everyone splits the bill evenly. For a brief moment, it seemed like the right thing to do. Then you begin wondering if that’s really fair if all you had was a salad and the others each had a steak. Plus, it doesn’t even take into consideration the other friend who joined later and added a few extra dollars because they ate up the appetizers on the table.

The bill from the restaurant is like your property tax bill. It is determined by what you ate and how much it cost. A tax bill is derived from a voter-approved budget based on what it costs to provide municipal services. A property reappraisal is making sure that the bill is split fairly. The late guest who paid up a few bucks represents new construction. A reappraisal will make adjustments to be sure everyone is paying their fair share. 

If your new property valuation is higher than your prior valuation, it is important to understand that your property taxes will not change by the same ratio. It is also important to remember that other property values around you are also being adjusted at the same time. 

A Reappraisal Impact

What is the Common Level of Appraisal (CLA)?

The State of Vermont conducts an Equalization Study each year on municipalities to see how close grand lists compare to fair market values with a goal of being 100%.

The State’s finding estimated that Town/City assessed values averaged less than 70 percent of actual value in 2023. When the difference becomes that large, it’s likely that some properties are overvalued and others are undervalued — which introduces fairness questions around property tax bills.

Reappraisals evaluate whether all properties were treated fairly. If inequitable results are identified, the Equalization Study is adjusted by the State using what is called a Common Level of Appraisal (CLA) to ensure that a reasonably accurate estimate of value is determined by the study. Why is this important? 

The State uses the study to determine the Town’s/City’s share of the State Education tax. Bringing our municipal values in line with market values will mean that the Town/City are paying a share of the State education costs that’s fair for our communities.  

Town Charter Changes Passed

Voter-approved amendments are enacted

Energy Committee

Discussion and exchange of ideas with local legislators

The Energy Committee invited and met with Representatives Alyssa Black, Leonora Dodge, Rey Garofano, and Karen Dolan to talk about energy and climate-related topics. The committee presented action items in the recently voter-approved 2024 Essex Town Plan that relate to energy and the environment, most of which were championed by members of the committee after receiving input in public sessions in 2023. The representatives provided an update on proposed Act 253 that would establish a Building Energy Code Working Group and allow residential and commercial building energy codes to be updated at the discretion of the Commissioner of Public Service.

The group put forth ideas on how to maintain intercommunications between the committee and the legislators, as well as outreach and advocacy of ideas in the community.

Watch the meeting recording on the Town of Essex YouTube Channel:

Recruitment for Boards, Committees & Commissions

Vacancies

Recruitment for seats about to expire continues. If you are interested in trying something new that provides a direct contribution to your community, apply today!

• Cemetery Commission - 1 seat as of April 1
• Conservation and Trails Committee - 1 seat vacant now, 3 seats as of July 1
• Economic Development Commission - 1 seat as of July 1
• Energy Committee - 1 seat vacant now, 1 seat as of July 1
• Essex Free Library Board of Trustees - 1 seat as of July 1
• Planning Commission - 2 seats vacant now
• Police Community Advisory Board - 1 seat as of July 1
• Zoning Board of Adjustment - 1 seat as of July 1
• Essex Representative (alternate) - Chittenden Solid Waste District 
• Essex Representative - Tree Farm Management Group - 1 seat vacant now
• Essex Representative (alternate) - Town Meeting TV Board of Trustees
• Essex Representative (alternate) - Green Mountain Transit Commissioner

Economic Development Commission

Q1 Business Outreach - Get to Know Your Businesses in Essex

The Essex Economic Development Commission started connecting with local businesses in 2023. Each month we meet with Essex businesses at their location or host them at the Essex Town Hall. Our goal is to connect with local businesses and organizations to learn what it’s like doing business in Essex and understand the challenges facing our business community. If you are a business or organization in Essex and would like to be a part of our business outreach, please send an email request to community-development@essex.org. See below for highlights from local businesses we met with in Q1 2024:

Business: Gaston Weed Company

Website

Location: 100 Center Rd, Essex Junction, VT 05452

RETAIL STORE For cannabis enthusiasts & novices alike, they are Vermont’s OG collaborative cannabis company. Rooted in personal connections and passionate innovation, that offers an immersive experience in a welcoming environment which cultivates knowledge & encourages exploration.

MANUFACTURING At Gaston Weed Company, our goal is to bring top quality products to the Vermont market. Why??? They love weed!! Through careful material selection and minimal handling they maintain the delicate makeup of the plant so that the original combination of cannabinoids and terpenes remains in the final product. They feel this is the best way to represent the flavor profile of the original cultivars. Find their products at your favorite weed shops across the state.

Business: Salt & Bubbles Wine Bar & Market

Website

Location: Essex Experience, 21 Essex Way Suite #412

ABOUT Salt & Bubbles Wine Bar and Market focuses on ethically made wines (and some ciders + beer) by people who take care of the land and the people they work with. These producers (who really are farmers!) make wines full of life, they tell a story of a season or a place, and well, they taste great too!

WINE BAR Serving up a fabulous menu supporting local cheesemakers, farmers and more alongside your glass, flight, or bottle with your nearest and dearest! Salty snacking is always encouraged.

MARKET They only carry wine that’s ethically-made from producers they trust, so you can feel good when you shop there. These wines are sometimes called “natural” wines, but they like to get a bit more specific so you know exactly what you’re getting. These could be wines made bio-dynamically, organically, or just the old school way, no need for new fancy terms, they are happy to tell you more. Don’t forget your accompanying items: cheese, charcuterie, mustards, dry goods, and S&B merchandise!

Business: Browns River Maple

Facebook Page

Location: 375 Browns River Rd (RT 128)

ABOUT Browns River Maple is a locally owned and operated organic maple syrup operation run by the Lemire family.

OPEN HOUSE Every spring, Browns River hosts an open house event. Follow their facebook page for dates and times.

Essex Free Library

Highlighted Events

Parks & Recreation

Highlighted Events

The Town of Essex will only accept Green-Up Day bags along roadside. They may also be dropped off at the Town Highway Garage, located off Sand Hill Road behind the Fire Station, River Road pump station, 5 Center Road (parking lot in front of the cemetery), 37 Old Stage Road (Essex Alliance Church dirt parking lot), and Susie Wilson/Old Susie Wilson.

Other programs offered include Exercise Drumming, R.A.D. Self-Defense for Women and Youth Lacrosse. Learn more about these programs at essexparksandrec.org.

Saying Farewell to Parks & Rec Director Ally Vile

Thank you for 18 years!

It's always bittersweet when a valued member of your team leaves to start on a new path. While we sincerely wish them the very best, we also feel the void they leave behind. The Town of Essex has been fortunate to have employees who dedicate many years, even decades to the service of Essex residents and the community.

Today, we say farewell and good luck to Ally Vile who has served the Essex Parks and Recreation Department since 2006. Ally started as Program Coordinator and moved into the Director role in 2013 when the department was much smaller than it is now. Ally has been integral to growing the park and program services over the years.

From Ally, "My time here has been filled with invaluable experiences, great collaborations, and wonderful memories. I am deeply grateful for the support, guidance, and camaraderie I've received during my tenure. I’ve grown up professionally and personally here and it’s been – overall – an amazing experience. My kids have grown up as “parks and rec kids”, participating in summer camp, fall soccer, the Bolton program, lacrosse, swim lessons, swim team, and so many special events. They’ve learned how to help clean and backwash the pool, set up for soccer or lacrosse, help get ready for events like the Great American Campout and Touch a Truck, and so much more. Oh, and I should give credit to my devoted intern (my husband), for all of his help, troubleshooting, repairs to equipment, and volunteering over the years. 

I am excited about my next chapter and the chance to continue my professional journey. While I will no longer be with Essex Parks and Recreation, I hope our paths cross in the future.

Thank you again for being part of my time here with the Town of Essex; you’re in good hands with Essex Parks and Recreation. I couldn’t be more proud of the team and I am excited to see all the wonderful projects and programs they will create as a resident of the Town!" 

Best wishes, Ally. We will miss you!

Essex Police Department

Officers receive Life Saving Award

Please join EPD in congratulating Corporal Karadza and Officer Kochelyaev upon being nominated for, and selected to receive, the Essex Police Department Life Saving Award!

On March 3, 2024, Corporal Karadza responded to a call of an unresponsive male, not breathing. Corporal Karadza arrived on scene and took over CPR while Essex Rescue and Essex Junction Fire Department completed other life saving measures. The male regained a pulse and was transported by Essex Rescue to the medical center.

On March 25, 2024, Officer Kochelyaev responded to a call of an unresponsive male. Officer Kochelyaev arrived on scene and began CPR on the male. During these life saving measures the male began breathing, Essex rescue transported the male to the medical center. 

Due to the efforts of Corporal Karadza and Officer Kochelyaev, along with members of Essex Rescue and EJFD, the individuals survived. Thank you both for all the work you do for our community!

Essex Community Justice Center

New Cultural Advocate Program

Check out "Community Connection", the CJC's Periodic E-Fanzine!

Here's an excerpt:

The Essex and Burlington Community Justice Centers (CJCs) started the Cultural Advocate Program because most of our staff and volunteers are white, which can feel uncomfortable for some responsible parties, affected parties, or parents we work with. Walking into a panel meeting when no-one in the room looks like you or understands your culture can lead to feeling alone and misunderstood. The restorative justice process can be confusing and frustrating. Sometimes people feel they are being treated unfairly because of their race or culture. We want to make the process better and fairer. Cultural Advocates can help us do that. Margaret Bass, who worked as a RJ Panel Coordinator in Winooski several years ago, was the first Cultural Advocate we contracted with to do this work.

In 2023 a group of CJC staff, Margaret, and other people who understand restorative justice got together to plan how to expand the program. In the fall of 2023 we provided restorative justice panel training to 9 new people who are interested in becoming cultural advocates for the CJCs. They all successfully completed the training and some have observed panels to understand how that process works.

Whenever possible, Cultural Advocates are part of the work at all steps of the panel process with the Essex CJC staff. They are an integral member of the team from the intake meeting with the Responsible Party or first contact with the Affected Party to the completion meeting. As we learn and grow, we continue to develop best practices for the program. 

Panel volunteers will slowly get to meet the Cultural Advocates as more folks observe panels and as we receive cases where their input is crucial. The CJCs may also explore how to engage the Cultural Advocates in other parts of our work. Stay tuned!

Dinner with our Cultural Advocates at Sherpa Kitchen

Pictured from left to right: Samuel Dingba, Mohamed Jafar, Ali Adams, Chuck Brewer, Margaret Bass, Urmilla Chhetri, Barbara Shaw Dorso, Susanna Weller, Rachel Jolly, Becky Penberthy, Felicity Roderiguez, Jeetan Khadka, Michelle Teegarden and Jill Evans

• Parks Maintenance Technician
• Parks and Recreation Director
• Per Diem Fire Fighter/EMT
• Volunteer Paid on Call Fire Fighter and/or EMS
• Park Patrol Essex Vermont
• Police Officer

Correction to April 2024 newsletter: - The article, "Consultant hired for 80 & 90 Upper Main Street stated in error that the Selectboard approved the bid from Stantec and Weiman Lamphere Architects (WLA), with WLA receiving supporting services from Vanasse Hangen Brustlin (VHB). The approved bid went to Stantec Consulting Services.

Fireworks Permitting Process - Vermont State Law only allows for the legal use, possession, and sale of fireworks after a permit is issued. Applications for fireworks permits must submitted to the chief of a local fire department at least 15 days before a display. Learn more.

Lost & Found - An Adidas hat, Hydroflask water bottle, Yeti mug, and hooded sweatshirt have been left behind in the 81 Main St. conference room. Please call the Town Office to identify.

Town of Essex YouTube Channel - check out meeting recordings and other videos from the Town. www.youtube.com/@essexvt

Mark your Calendar

May 6 - Selectboard Meeting

May 8 - Selectboard Strategic Planning

May 9 - Planning Commission

May 14 - Conservation & Trails Committee Meeting

May 15 - Reappraisal Coffee Talk - Town and City

May 16 - Economic Development Commission Business Outreach Meeting

May 20 - Selectboard Meeting

May 21 - Police Community Advisory Board Meeting

May 22 - Charter Review Committee Meeting

May 23 - Planning Commission Meeting

May 27 - Town Offices and Essex Free Library - closed for Memorial Day

Jun 3 - Selectboard Meeting

Jun 5 - Housing Commission Meeting

Jun 6 - Economic Development Commission Meeting

Be sure to look online for cancelations. When offices are closed, a drop box for payments is located outside the entrance door at the Town Offices at 81 Main Street, Essex Junction. Many services are available online at www.essexvt.org.