Long Term Planning Committee

The Essex Long-Term Planning Committee began to meet as of May 23, 2007. The Committee has been disbanded since a new committee, known as the Strategic Planning Committee, has picked up this work. This page and its resources are provided as a historical perspective.

The Essex Board of Selectmen appointed the members of the Long-Term Planning Committee on April 23, 2007.  The Committee’s charge and membership are listed below:

Mission Statement

To work toward specific outcomes supported by resident values and consistent with the community's heritage. To acknowledge that the success of our community will be contingent on a vision of where we want to be and how we shall get there. The work of the Committee will influence the life-style of this and future generations.

Task

The Long-term Planning Committee is to draft a comprehensive set of recommendations to be presented to the Board of Selectmen. Recommendations made by the Committee should clarify a long-term vision (e.g. 25 years) and strategy for the Town while embracing the Town's history and culture.

The locus of the Committee's work should include, but not be limited to the economic, social, and environmental distinctions for the Town of Essex. The committee's work should identify the unique community character of the Town that promotes economic growth while maintaining and enhancing the character of the community.

Any plan should solicit a collaborative exchange of ideas from the Town of Essex Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Finance Committee, Historical Commission, Department of Public Works, Chamber of Commerce.~ Further, the LTPC should consider an efficient method to survey the residents concerns and range of values.~ The advantages of contracting a professional town-planner should also be considered and coordinated with the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee as the Committee's work progresses.

Recommendations should include distinct projects that implement the Committee's vision.~ When possible, the Committee should rank their suggestions and attach a capital cost to each project.

Membership & Term of Service

The membership of the Long-Term Planning Committee includes fifteen (15) voting members appointed by the Town of Essex Board of Selectmen. Voting members shall serve a term of three (3) years, or at the discretion of the Board of Selectmen and one voting member must be a Selectman. The Selectmen shall also appoint two (2) alternate members (for three-year terms) and five (5) ex-officio members.  

Ex-officio members shall be the Chairman of the Essex Conservation Commission or the Commission’s designee; the Chairman of the Essex Planning Board or the Planning Board’s designee; the Chairman of the Essex Finance Committee or the Committee’s designee; the Superintendent of Public Works or the Board of Public Works’ designee; and the Chief of Police or his designee.  Neither ex-officio members nor alternate members are voting members.

LT Planning Committee Members