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Essex officials present $12.7 million bonding plan, schedule public hearing after Labor Day
Summary
First Selectman Norman Needleman presented a proposed $12.7 million capital bonding package covering infrastructure, public works, school, police, fire and preservation projects; about $2.7 million would be covered by grants and a public hearing is planned after Labor Day.
First Selectman Norman Needleman told the Board of Finance on June 23 that the Capital Committee has compiled a $12.7 million list of projects the town intends to finance through bonding, with roughly $2.7 million expected from grants.
The proposed package covers infrastructure projects including bridge work and road improvements, a Public Works campus and animal control facility, interior and equipment upgrades to the police and fire departments, improvements at Essex Elementary School and preservation and matching funds for the Centerbrook Meeting House. Needleman said the Board of Selectmen approved a bonding resolution that will be forwarded to the Board of Finance in July.
Why it matters: if voters approve the bonds at referendum, the package would fund multiple multi‑year capital improvements across town infrastructure, public safety and school facilities. The plan calls for an informational public hearing after Labor Day, a Town Meeting, and a referendum in late September or early October.
Details presented include an infrastructure subtotal that covers River Road and Old Deep River bridges and a roads/drainage/streetlights plan; a Public Works campus plan that anticipates an animal control facility and site improvements; an Essex Elementary scope that lists generators, air handling and other building work; and preservation work at the Centerbrook Meeting House with matching grant requests. The capital packet included estimated costs and identified existing grant sources expected to reduce bonding needs by about $2.7 million.
The First Selectman and Public Works Director Ryan Welch supplied the project list and cost estimates to the board; additional engineering and grant details were not enumerated at the meeting. Needleman said the Board of Selectmen has approved moving the bonding resolution forward and that the Board of Finance will review it formally in July before the public outreach schedule begins.
Provenance: Topic introduced SEG 003; details and supporting project list in meeting attachment SEG 005.
Votes/Actions: The Board of Selectmen approved a bonding resolution to forward to the Board of Finance for consideration in July; that resolution will return to the Board of Finance for formal review and any subsequent vote.
