Essex 2023 Town Meeting Results

Essex held a Town Meeting on May 2, 2023, where residents voted on new fees relating to short-term rentals and a proposed eminent domain purchase of land for municipal use. Please see a summary of the relevant warrant articles and the results below:

• Article 21: Increase local excise taxes upon the transfer of occupancy of a short-term rental, hotel, motel, lodging house, and bed and breakfast from 4% to 6%. (Approved)
• Article 22: Accept provisions of state law that allows the town to impose a community impact fee of not more than 3% of the total amount of rent upon each transfer of occupancy of a professionally managed short-term rental unit. (Approved)
• Article 23: Accept the provisions of state law that allows the town to impose a community impact fee of not more than 3% of the total amount of rent upon each transfer of occupancy of a short-term rental unit located within a two-family or three-family dwelling that includes the operator’s primary residence. (Postponed Indefinitely)
• Article 26: Authorize selectmen to acquire by eminent domain, purchase, or gift specific properties associated with the Apple Street Roadbed Elevation and Culvert Replacement Project.

North Shore REALTORS® publicly opposed and advocated against the short-term rental fees. Updates on future Essex Town Meetings will be posted on the NSR blog.