Upper Main Street Property Purchase

Strategic planning to relocate Town Offices 

At a strategic planning session on May 14, 2022, the Selectboard developed a work plan for the coming fiscal year 2023 (July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023). The work plan included items to “identify building / facility needs,” the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, and “planning for future of emergency services.” Selectboard member discussion at the meeting delved into emergency services, town offices, community center, senior center, recreation, and public works. The meeting was happening with the knowledge that the Village of Essex Junction was separating from the Town of Essex, and that the current Town Offices are located in what is now the City of Essex Junction. 

Timeline of public actions, discussions, and information

• May 14, 2022: Selectboard special meeting to develop work plan for FY23; goals included work on ARPA funding and building and facility needs.
• Late spring – early fall 2022: Surveys, coffee chats, public input and info sessions for public input on how the Town should use its $3.3 million in ARPA funding. The top five categories were, in order, infrastructure projects, transportation projects, town buildings projects, tax relief, and project mitigating climate change.
• September 12, 2022: Selectboard-approved goals for the Town Manager included “present building and site cost estimates for municipal complex and buildings, in time to consider for vote in March 2023” and “ARPA spending proposal that supports operating and capital needs, and incorporates community input goal”
• November 7, 2022: Selectboard business item for “Discussion about acquisition of land for municipal complex and possible use of American Rescue Fund Act funding for purchase.” A memorandum from Community Development Director Katherine Sonnick laid out the possibility of using ARPA money to purchase a site “for a municipal complex and other community benefits” in the VT Route 15 corridor. Another proposed funding option would be a Town-wide bond vote to acquire property. Discussion ensued about the possibility. Expenditure of ARPA funds does not require a Town-wide vote. 
• April 17, 2023: Selectboard business item to “Consider authorizing the Town Manager to execute purchase and sale agreement for municipal land.” Public discussion about purchasing property in the Route 15 corridor for $3 million for a new municipal facility, and using ARPA money to make the purchase. Following an executive session discussion, the Selectboard authorized the Town Manager to execute a purchase and sale agreement and all necessary related documents. 
• May 8, 2023: Selectboard special meeting to set work plan for fiscal year 2024. The work plan included a High Priority item for “Municipal complex – site investigation; cost estimates and payment methods for new facilities; timelines for construction, votes.” 
• August 7, 2023: Public to Be Heard comments at the Selectboard meeting expressed concern about the deposit for Upper Main Street and comments that the Town is overpaying for frontage on VT Route 15. The Selectboard Chair and Town Manager described the process used to determine that the property was an appropriate use of ARPA funding.
• August 21, 2023: Selectboard meeting included a “Discussion about budget goals for fiscal year 2025,” during which Selectboard Chair Andy Watts said he would like to see continued work on building a new Town Hall and potentially offsetting the expense of that with some of the property purchased for that building.
• October 30, 2023: Selectboard special meeting with an item for “Discussion and potential action about the negotiating or securing of real estate purchase or lease options.” Following an executive session discussion, the Selectboard authorized the Manager to execute an amendment for the Purchase and Sale Agreement for 80 and 90 Upper Main St.
• November 20, 2023: Selectboard meeting included item to “Consider authorizing Town Manager to close on purchase of 80 & 90 Upper Main St.,” and item for “Discussion and potential action about contracts and the negotiating or securing of real estate purchase or lease options.” The packet included a memorandum from the Town Manager with the issue of “whether the Selectboard will authorize the Town Manager to execute any and all documents necessary to close on the purchase of 80 & 90 Upper Main St.” Following executive session discussions, the Selectboard authorized the Town Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding for Redevelopment of 72, 74, and 76 Upper Main St. and Access to 80 & 90 Upper Main St., and authorized the Town Manager to execute any and all documents necessary for the purchase of 80 & 90 Upper Main St.