Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope this newsletter finds you in good health and looking forward to the arrival of warmer weather. I encourage you to make an effort to spend time outside and appreciate nature. While you’re at it, take some time to check out the great shops and restaurants in Town. They rely on our patronage and play a vital role in the quality of our community. Be sure to enjoy the various expanses of daffodils on Route 154 at the intersection of Route 153 across from the Essex Fire Station, along West Avenue at Sunset Pond, and on Methodist Hill below the First Congregational Church in Essex Village. The Essex Board of Trade’s “Daffodil Days” begins on March 22. The Town will also be hosting the 4^th Annual CT Sea Music Festival June 6 – 9 in Essex village.

The Town of Essex has made it into the news again! Check out this article from HGTV:

Essex Named Most Charming Small Town in CT- by HGTV.

I want to remind everyone to come out and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Essex go Bragh Irish Parade on Saturday, March 22. The parade starts at 11 am at the Essex Town Hall. This annual tradition is the signature event of Essex Park and Recreation's spring season. The procession will include Irish dancers, the Sailing Masters of 1812, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and more. All are welcome to attend so if you would like to participate, please contact our Park & Recreation Director Mary Ellen Barnes at 860-767-4340 x110 or email mbarnes@essexct.gov. 

The Hubbard Park project is moving forward, and despite the winter weather, progress continues. The new concession stand is in place, and I look forward to seeing the baseball teams enjoy the upgraded facility and grounds.

The 2025-2026 Annual Budget is in progress. As always, the Town's goal is to meet the needs and expectations of our residents while keeping expenditures as low as possible. The final budget will go to a Public Hearing on April 24 at 7:00 pm and will then be voted on by residents at the Annual Budget Town Meeting on May 12 at 7:30 pm. The Region 4 Budget Referendum for Essex residents will be on May 6 from 12-8 pm at the Essex Town Hall. I encourage you to participate in all these important budget events. The schedule of budget meetings is posted on the Town website. 

All the Best,

Norm 

ASSESSOR'S OFFICE

Real Estate Tax Relief – Persons Totally Disabled or Over Age 65

The Assessor’s Office is accepting applications for the State of Connecticut Circuit Breaker program until May 15th. To qualify for this program a person must be totally disabled or have reached age 65 by December 31, 2024. In the case of a married couple, only one spouse needs to be 65. The total household income, including Social Security benefits, must be less than $55,100 for a married couple; and less than $45,200 for a single person.

The property that you are seeking assistance for must be your primary residence.

Once qualified for the State Circuit Breaker Program, a person/couple is also eligible for the Town of Essex matching benefit.

The amount of tax relief is a sliding scale based on total income. For example, if a married couple had a total income of $23,000 for calendar year 2024, they may qualify for assistance from the State of up to $1,000. The $1,000 would be taken off the tax bill and the Town would match that benefit up to 100%, depending on age and years of residence in the current home. In this example, the tax bill could be reduced by as much as $2,000.

If you, or someone you know, might be eligible for this benefit, please have them come to the Assessor’s Office at Town Hall with their 2024 SSA 1099, and proof of any income earned in calendar year 2024 or a copy of the 2024 tax return prior to May 15, 2025.

Further information is available on the Assessor’s page of the Town of Essex website essexct.gov/assessor. Please call or email us with any questions.

We look forward to the opportunity to assist you.

Jessica Sypher, CCMA II, Assessor      

Karen Abercrombie, Assistant to the Assessor

assessor@essexct.gov

 860.767.4340 ext. 123 

Attention Commercial Property Owners

The Assessor’s office will be mailing Income and Expense forms in April. If you own commercial/retail/rental property you are required by state statute to provide the requested information to the Assessor’s office. These forms must be returned by June 1. Failure to file the Income and Expense form will result in a 10% penalty being added to the assessed value for the July 2025 property tax bill.

If you do not receive a form by mid-May, please go to the website essexct.gov/assessor to download another one or contact our office so we can get you another form.

We appreciate your cooperation with the statutorily required request.

Jessica Sypher, CCMAII

Assessor

Town of Essex

ESSEX VETERANS' MEMORIAL HALL

FIRE MARSHAL

Help Us Help You with Community Connect

The Essex Fire Marshal’s Office wants to remind residents and business owners about Community Connect, a secure and user-friendly platform designed to enhance emergency response in our town. This program has been in place for several years and continues to be a vital tool in helping first responders better serve the community.

By voluntarily providing details about your property, occupants, and any special needs, you allow us to respond more effectively during emergencies, ensuring the safety of you and your loved ones.

How Does Community Connect Benefit You?

• Personalized Emergency Response: Let us know if residents have mobility challenges, medical conditions, or other functional needs so we can assist them more efficiently in an emergency.
• Pet Safety: Register your pets, including their names and photos, so we can account for them during evacuations or emergencies.
• Property Details: Share information about your property's layout, utility shutoffs, access points, and fire safety features to help responders make informed decisions.
• Emergency Contacts: Provide keyholder or family member contact information to facilitate timely communication during a crisis.

Stay Connected for a Safer Community

If you haven’t already, we encourage you to sign up or update your information in Community Connect. Go to https://www.communityconnect.io/info/ct-townofessex to create or update your profile. Keeping your details current ensures that first responders always have the most accurate and useful information when responding to your property.

Your participation is voluntary, and all data is kept confidential, accessible only to emergency personnel during an incident.

For any questions or assistance, please contact Fire Marshal John Planas at jplanas@essexct.gov or call 860-767-4340 ext. 146.

Together, we can make Essex a safer and more prepared community.

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION

Bushnell Small Vessel Area

Spring is around the corner and people will be thinking of getting on the water in kayaks, canoes, and SUP (stand up paddle boarding). The good news is that the Bushnell Access Area is open to all, regardless of where you live. Bushnell offers an easy launch area at any tide, with sandy bottom and gradual slope, as well as an observation deck, portable toilet and picnic table, and overnight rack storage for those who apply and obtain a permit.

Everyone is welcome, without restriction, to use this remarkable facility. In return we expect the facility to be treated with the care and respect that has become the standard, and to be respectful of our neighbors as well.

Enjoy the season, stay safe, and please carry out whatever you carry in. It has been stated that National Parks are one of our greatest gifts to ourselves, and similarly Bushnell is a gift from the Town of Essex to everyone.

INLAND WETLANDS COMMISSION

The Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission (IWWC) would like to individually thank you for your support in protecting the wetlands in Town. Through your shared awareness and concern regarding activities in wetlands and near wetlands we have seen an increase in applications since 2018 filed with the Wetlands Commission. This awareness has also resulted in inquiries about activities within 100 feet of a wetlands, known as the upland review area. 

It is due to your knowledge of wetlands in Essex that these sensitive and critically important habitat areas are being protected better than years prior. We are all stewards of the wetlands, and community involvement is critical.   

Since 2018 the number of projects starting without first receiving wetlands approval has decreased. This indicates that residents are more aware of wetlands and the importance of notifying the proper authority before doing any work in a wetland or within 100 feet of a wetland.

The IWWC has also increased its public outreach by submitting articles to Essex News & Essex Events and creating topic focused pamphlets and handouts. 

We greatly appreciate your continued support! We always encourage protection and ongoing education about the importance of our wetlands. 

Carey Duques, the Land Use Official, is available to discuss any wetlands or land use questions you might have. Please feel free to contact her at 860-767-4340 ext. 115 or email her at cduques@essexct.gov with any questions or comments.

LOWER CT RIVER VALLEY

For more information on Lower CT River Valley click here.

PARK AND RECREATION

The Town of Essex Park and Recreation Department is thrilled to announce the annual Essex go Bragh Irish Parade, set to take place on March 22, 2025. This year's parade promises to be a vibrant celebration of Irish culture, heritage, and community spirit.

The parade will kick off at 11:00 am at the Essex Town Hall on West Avenue, and will feature a spectacular lineup of floats, marching bands, dancers, and community groups. Highlights of the event include performances by traditional Irish dancers, live music from local bands, and appearances by the Sailing Masters of 1812 and Middletown PBA Pipes and Drums. We are encouraging those along the parade route to adorn their homes and businesses with green decorations, creating a festive atmosphere for all attendees. Local businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate and show their support for the community.

We are honored to announce that Anthony Mosa will serve as the Grand Marshal for this year's parade. “Tony”, the longest serving member of the Essex Park and Recreation commission, has been the backbone of the commission for over 15 years. He has always been a great supporter of the Department and our Community, and we are excited to honor him in this fashion.

The Essex go Bragh Irish Parade is a free event, open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to wear green and join in the celebration. For more information, including parade route details and volunteer opportunities, please visit the

Essex go Bragh Irish Parade Facebook page, contact Mary Ellen Barnes at 860-767-4340 x110 or email mbarnes@essexct.gov. Join us on March 22nd to celebrate and experience the joy and camaraderie of our community. We look forward to seeing you there!

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

SPRING IS COMING...



Spring brings the beginning of a new construction season. As you travel around Town, you may see an increase in road work signs, large trucks with flashing lights, orange cones and workers in bright clothes. Construction is an inconvenience and causes delays, but it is necessary to improve and maintain our infrastructure.

Please PAY ATTENTION while you are driving. Control the speed of your vehicle and be cautious while driving in work zones. Please respect what our employees and contractors are trying to accomplish. Most speed limits on our Town roads are 25 MPH. If you are traveling through a work zone you should be driving slower than the speed limit.

Please be aware that there is sand on the roads and sidewalks from winter snow and ice control. Until the sand is swept, it can create hazardous driving conditions. Be on the lookout for the Town's street sweeper starting in April. The machine will sometimes operate against traffic or turn around in the middle of the roadway.

Essex has always prided itself on being a walkable community. If you are a pedestrian or cyclist, keep yourself visible; wear bright clothes and choose safe routes; be cautious at intersections and use the sidewalk whenever possible. Drivers, please give our pedestrians the right-of-way and share the roadway.

Roads that will see significant improvement this year will be Blake St, Mallard Pt, Navy Ln, Woodland Dr, Oak Dr, Birch Cir, Dogwood Rd, and Ridge Rd.

We continue to make progress on the Small-Town Economic Assistance Program project at Hubbard Park. The building foundation, framing, sanitary system and new waterline have been completed. In the spring we plan to continue the site work, including sidewalks from North Main to the new building, paving of the driveway entrance and interior building mechanicals and finish work. The building and site will not be completed until late summer, but we are pushing to have the site in a functioning arrangement for the little league season.     

Please bring any questions or concerns to our attention. We appreciate your help in keeping our Town a safe and enjoyable place to live.

Ryan Welch, Public Works Director

rwelch@essexct.gov

860-767-0715  

REGION 4 EDUCATION FOUNDATION

SUSTAINABLE ESSEX

Recycling Field Trip

Sustainable Essex members recently had the opportunity to visit the All American Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Berlin, the largest one in the United States. This is where all our recyclables get dropped off (650 – 900 tons a day!), sorted, and sold to companies who turn the recycling into new products. Here are some takeaways from our tour and reminders to town residents.

Visiting the All American Material Recovery Facility in Berlin

DO NOT recycle lithium or lithium-ion batteries or propane tanks. These items should be brought to the Essex Transfer station for special handling. Click here for the Essex Transfer Station & Recycling Center brochure.

Black plastic CAN be recycled. #5 plastic can also be recycled. Keep the lids on bottles and YES, Dunkin’ Donut and Starbuck’s plastic cups with their lids CAN be recycled! Keep aluminum foil flat, not rolled up in a ball. Clean pet food cans so they don’t attract pests. Please don’t put recycled items in plastic bags – put them straight into the recycling bin. For more information visit https://www.usarecycle.com/learning-center.

Strong Results for our EnergyWise Essex Campaign

In 2024, Sustainable Essex received a Community Partnership Initiative grant from Energize Connecticut Sponsors, Eversource and Avangrid, Inc. The grant helped our town spread the word about valuable low or no-cost home energy assessments. 165 households took advantage of the program. 30% of all homes in Essex have now been weatherized through energy efficiency assessments since 2010. Join with your many Essex neighbors who have benefited from the program and find out more about this energy and cost saving opportunity by visiting www.sustainableessex.com/energywise.

Strengthening our Core Waste Programs 

In 2024 Sustainable Essex worked together with town residents to divert 67,200 pounds of waste from our overburdened waste stream through our Source to Sea community clean up, thin film plastic recycling, municipal food scrap composting, sneaker collection, repair cafes, and an annual toy swap. Thank you!

Are you interested in helping Essex be as sustainable as possible? Join us! Contact sustsxct@gmail.com

TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE

Dog license renewal month is June 2025.

A reminder will be mailed the end of May 2025.

TRANSFER STATION

Tips from the United States Department of Agriculture

TREE WARDEN

EVERSOURCE TREE TRIMMING

Essex Tree Warden, Augie Pampel, has been notified by Eversource that maintenance tree trimming in our community will begin soon. The dark blue lines on the map below, which are lower voltage, are the roads that will be maintained by Lucas Tree. Lucas Tree is obliged by PURA (Public Utilities Regulatory Authority) regulations and state statutes to notify abutting owners of planned tree work on or hanging over the public road. Tree owner approval is required for trees wholly on private property. According to these statutes, residents have the right to accept the planned work, waive their rights to object to the work, modify the work or they can refuse all tree work if they choose. Residents wishing to modify the work or object to the trimming or removal should follow the procedure described in the brochures that will be given out by the contractor’s permissions contact. Residents must also contact the Essex Tree Warden and Eversource in writing. Augie Pampel can be reached via email at augiepampel@att.net or via phone at 860-388-7209. Eversource can be reached at the address and number on the informational brochure that will be provided. 

Work will also be done on the red line roads which are higher voltage. 

In an effort to provide effective communication and better customer service, Eversource will seek property owner approval in advance of the tree work. They will stop at all homes abutting areas of potential work to provide information and request approval for the trimming. It is incumbent upon the property owner to read the material carefully, ask questions, and/or contact the Eversource permissions contractor listed on the enclosed forms provided to property owners.  

Trimming Specifications: Standard Maintenance Trim (SMT)

All roads or streets identified on the map in dark blue or red: Remove all branches within the clearance zone - 8’ to the side, 10’ below, 15’ overhead and hazards within reach of 70’ bucket. Flat cut brush taller than telcom (16’). Trim 2’ opening on open wire and secondary services. Flat cut brush and cut vines. Remove hazard trees less than or equal to 16” DBH within the clearance zone. 

CLICK HERE for a better view of the map.

Visit RedCrossBlood.org to schedule an appointment.

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