On April 27, the Trustees held a work session on Essex Junction Independence. The following is what was discussed.
The Trustees will be using approximately the first hour of each of their regularly scheduled meetings to have a work session to discuss Essex Junction Independence. The public will be given the opportunity to speak at the start of each work session.
The Trustees established a goal: To create an independent Essex Junction, ensuring that it: has a foundation that provides for economic and political stability, reflects the Village character, has opportunity for growth, and looks towards the future.
The Trustees established some operating principles: This will be a Village led process that is future oriented. We will steer clear of distractions and act with civility, transparency, and deliberateness. The Trustees will work to develop consensus and speak with a consistent voice. We will engage with, bring together, seek input from, and work to inform our community. We will work with the Selectboard and maintain a healthy relationship with our neighbors in the Town.
They identified a scope of work to include: the charter, organization & budget, work with the Selectboard, listen to Village Residents, and educate and inform voters. A general budget and potential sources of funds was discussed.
They reviewed a general timeline which included starting the work now and leading to a vote on the new charter in November.
They endorsed having a grassroots group of citizens lead community conversations that will engage the community in identifying Village values, create a vision of the future, and hear concerns that residents have about a future independent municipality.
If you have feedback on the work session, you are encouraged to share your thoughts here: https://forms.gle/CvjQPeaKphbDG2xq9
If you missed the work session, but would like to watch it, you can find it here (starting at minute 11:30): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AGgtX_6x18
The next work session will take place as the first item on the agenda at the May 11 Trustees meeting, which starts at 6:30p.m. The meeting agenda and link will be posted a few days before the meeting here: https://www.essexjunction.org/boards/board-of-trustees