Fiscal Year 2025 Work Plans

Department Work Plans

  1. Annual work plan FY25 Admin 20240503
  2. Annual work plan FY25 Assessing
  3. Annual work plan FY25 Clerk
  4. Annual work plan FY25 Com Dev 20240430
  5. Annual work plan FY25 Community Justice Center
  6. Annual work plan FY25 Finance PUBLIC
  7. Annual work plan FY25 Fire
  8. Annual work plan FY25 IT 20240503
  9. Annual work plan FY25 Library
  10. Annual work plan FY25 Parks and Recreation 20240829
  11. Annual work plan FY25 Police 20250604
  12. Annual work plan FY25 Public Works 20240506
  13. Selectboard Strategic planning compiled lists 20240520 FINAL

FY25 Work Plan

Adopted by Selectboard May 20, 2024

Relevant Long-term GoalWork ItemPriority Level (Mandatory, High, Medium, Low)Primary Department(s)
Evaluate the community's recreation needs and make sure the needs are met and funded accordingly.
Determine plan for long-term management of the Tree Farm Recreational Facility. 
1 - Mandatory
Parks and Recreation
n/a
Complete transition from Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment model to Planning Commission and Development Review Board model.
1 - Mandatory
Community Development
Be responsive to the impact of opioids in the community.
Conduct public outreach on drug and overdose issues, and work with Police Department and Essex Westford School District to do so. 
2 - High
Administration, Police
Be responsive to the impact of opioids in the community. 
Determine use(s) for opioid settlement funds.
2 - High
Administration, Police
Ensure that Essex's capital needs are understood and fully funded, with an exploration of all possible funding mechanisms. 
Fully identify capital needs, including vehicle replacement schedules, and present a plan to pay for those needs. 
2 - High
Finance, Administration, et al
Ensure that Essex's capital needs are understood and fully funded, with an exploration of all possible funding mechanisms. 
Update capital plan to have all Public Works vehicles replaced in eight years.
2 - High
Public Works, Finance
Evaluate the community's recreation needs and make sure the needs are met and funded accordingly.
Review, update, and/or create forest management plans for large-scale public properties, and begin to implement those plans. 
2 - High
Parks and Recreation
See that progress is made toward the community's vision for construction of a new municipal complex. 
Develop a plan for 80 & 90 Upper Main St. based on the community's vision and goals, and present funding options to implement that plan. Consider grant funding, state designations, Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, and other funding possibilities.
2 - High
Community Development, Finance, Administration
Consider non-property-tax revenue sources and update in the best interest of the community. 
Investigate increase of non-property-tax revenues, such as licensing fees allowed by charter, impact fees, etc. 
3 - Medium
Finance, et al
Consider non-property-tax revenue sources and update in the best interest of the community. 
Update Parks and Rec fees to cover costs to the maximum extent possible, including operational and capital needs. 
3 - Medium
Parks and Recreation
Evaluate the community's recreation needs and make sure the needs are met and funded accordingly.
Complete Recreation Needs Assessment (Town Plan action 9.50).
3 - Medium
Parks and Recreation
Improve awareness of community events, encourage volunteer participation in those events, and evaluate the variety of events that are held.
Explore creation of a farmers' market.
3 - Medium
Parks and Recreation
Improve awareness of community events, encourage volunteer participation in those events, and evaluate the variety of events that are held.
Explore creation of community gardens.
3 - Medium
Parks and Recreation
n/a
Continue work on recommendations from the Charter Review Committee, and decide whether or not to propose any charter changes on the 2025 Town Meeting ballot. 
3 - Medium
Administration
Review guiding documents, policies, and standards to reflect the needs of the community, and update accordingly. Review relevant and important policies annually.
Revise fund balance assignment process and Fund Balance Policy.
3 - Medium
Finance
Continually improve access to and accessibility of information and documents.
Improve visualization and availability of data, especially to help inform decision-making.
4 - Low
Administration
Continually improve access to and accessibility of information and documents.
Publicize annual road paving and maintenance plans, including culverts.
4 - Low
Public Works
Make improvements in multimodal transportation options throughout Essex. 
Pursue the installation of a crosswalk on VT Route 15 at Saybrook Road and the ice cream shop. 
4 - Low
Public Works
Make improvements in multimodal transportation options throughout Essex. 
Study and propose solutions to minimize truck traffic on Sand Hill Road. 
4 - Low
Community Development, Public Works
n/a
Bring youth and other younger voices into local government. 
4 - Low
Administration
n/a
Explore and create public/private partnerships and opportunities. 
4 - Low
All
n/a
Provide ongoing support for and communication with municipal boards, commissions, and committees. 
4 - Low
Administration, et al
n/a
Pursue housing initiatives, particularly with help and reporting from the Housing Commission. 
4 - Low
Community Development
Review guiding documents, policies, and standards to reflect the needs of the community, and update accordingly. Review relevant and important policies annually.
Review policies annually at the Selectboard's organizational meeting; update as needed. 
4 - Low
Administration