Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Timeline and Process
Where are we now?
The current governance structure we have now is two separate municipalities with separate charters, sharing some municipal services under contract.
The current governance structure we have now is two separate municipalities with separate charters, sharing some municipal services under contract.
Why are we doing this now?
The Town of Essex Selectboard and the Village of Essex Junction Board of Trustees have been meeting jointly for the last several months, preparing for a dialogue with the Greater Essex community regarding our consolidation efforts going forward. In June 2018 both boards created a joint Governance Subcommittee tasked with researching potential new governance structures. In December, after researching and vetting over a dozen possibilities, the subcommittee recommended two unification options to consider: a single municipality with one charter or a single municipality with one charter, which could have special districts for voting. Residents will have an opportunity to weigh in through surveys and focus groups during the summer of 2019 and then later through other outreach efforts.
The Town of Essex Selectboard and the Village of Essex Junction Board of Trustees have been meeting jointly for the last several months, preparing for a dialogue with the Greater Essex community regarding our consolidation efforts going forward. In June 2018 both boards created a joint Governance Subcommittee tasked with researching potential new governance structures. In December, after researching and vetting over a dozen possibilities, the subcommittee recommended two unification options to consider: a single municipality with one charter or a single municipality with one charter, which could have special districts for voting. Residents will have an opportunity to weigh in through surveys and focus groups during the summer of 2019 and then later through other outreach efforts.
General Questions
What about the culture of the two communities?
Culture means different things to different people. The Selectboard and Trustees understand the importance of culture and will be reviewing responses from surveys and focus groups to understand how to best address the culture of the Town of Essex and the Village of Essex Junction.
Culture means different things to different people. The Selectboard and Trustees understand the importance of culture and will be reviewing responses from surveys and focus groups to understand how to best address the culture of the Town of Essex and the Village of Essex Junction.
Have the consolidation of some services in the past several years, starting with a shared Town and Village Manager as of 2013, saved money?
Yes, consolidation efforts to date have saved more than $2.5 million from Fiscal Year 2014 to Fiscal Year 2020. (This does not include ordinary everyday things like the sharing of equipment or when the Town Engineer helped the Village receive a grant for bridge work.)
Here is the breakdown for each municipality:
Manager $367,000 $606,000
Finance & Admin $378,000 $179,000
Stormwater & Public Works $344,000 $254,000
Total Savings $1,089,000 $1,039,000 = $2.13M
Manager $67,200 $113,500
Finance & Admin $194,300 $195,600
Stormwater & Public Works $59,800 $62,300
Total Savings $321,300 $371,400 = $0.69M
Yes, consolidation efforts to date have saved more than $2.5 million from Fiscal Year 2014 to Fiscal Year 2020. (This does not include ordinary everyday things like the sharing of equipment or when the Town Engineer helped the Village receive a grant for bridge work.)
Here is the breakdown for each municipality:
- FY2014 - FY2019: $2.13 Million
Manager $367,000 $606,000
Finance & Admin $378,000 $179,000
Stormwater & Public Works $344,000 $254,000
Total Savings $1,089,000 $1,039,000 = $2.13M
- FY2020: $0.69 Million
Manager $67,200 $113,500
Finance & Admin $194,300 $195,600
Stormwater & Public Works $59,800 $62,300
Total Savings $321,300 $371,400 = $0.69M