Essex Town approves $10.7M school budget amid energy reporting requirements

The Essex Board of Selectmen convened on March 24, 2025, to address significant developments regarding municipal buildings and the budget proposal for the Manchester Essex Regional School District. The meeting highlighted the town's proactive steps in energy management and financial planning for education.

A key topic of discussion was the town's compliance with state regulations concerning energy use reporting for large buildings. Essex owns two major facilities: the new police and fire station and the Essex Elementary School. The state has mandated that all buildings over 20,000 square feet, including private properties, must be reported for energy usage. The town has successfully claimed both buildings through an online portal, meeting the deadline set by the state. In April, town officials will participate in a webinar to clarify ongoing reporting requirements, particularly for the school, which is managed by a third party.

The meeting also focused on the budget proposal from the Manchester Essex Regional School District, which has been set at $10,776,959 for the upcoming fiscal year. This represents an increase from last year's apportionment of $9,889,756. The finance committee has recommended that the town allocate $189,000 from its new levy to support the school district, which is half of the total new levy amount of approximately $378,000. This funding strategy includes a combination of new levy funds and a special school apportionment fund, ensuring that the school district receives adequate financial support.

The board is set to finalize the budget proposal, which includes a request for an override of $698,196 to meet the school district's funding needs. This figure will be included in the warrant for the upcoming town meeting, where residents will have the opportunity to vote on the budget.

In conclusion, the Essex Board of Selectmen's meeting underscored the town's commitment to energy efficiency and educational funding. As the town prepares for the upcoming fiscal year, the decisions made during this meeting will have lasting implications for both municipal operations and the quality of education in the community. The board's next steps will involve further discussions and preparations for the town meeting, where these critical issues will be presented to the public for approval.