Essex Rescue Anticipates Move
by Ken Signorello
September 22, 2021
Essex Rescue has outgrown its current location at 1 Educational Drive near Essex High School. This non-profit organization is planning a move to 35 Essex Way just south of the 289 Exit ramp.
Dennis Lutz, Public Works Director, first disclosed the move in a memo to the Selectboard dated June 28th, as part of the planned traffic signal upgrade at the intersection of Essex Way and the Circ. Lutz stated that Emergency Vehicle Preemption would be installed so that, when the squad pulls out, all lights turn green to provide them right of way.
Darren Schibler, Town Planner, confirmed Essex Rescue’s plans at the September 14th Conservation and Trails committee meeting. The Town of Essex Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the site plan on October 14th.
The Links at Lang Farm property would need to be subdivided in order to site a new Rescue Building there. The Lang Family, which owns this property through an LLC, strongly supports this sale to Essex Rescue, said Jonathan Lang.
Essex Rescue has served Essex, Essex Junction, Jericho, Underhill, and Westford for 50 years. Its existing building no longer meets its personnel nor vehicle needs. The existing building cannot be expanded due to its age, hence the necessity of the move.
According to a statement from the ER Board of Directors, “The planned location will ensure a strong response time to all of our communities and will allow Rescue to continue to provide the service that everyone has come to expect.”
Should the subdivision be approved, Essex Rescue would conduct a capital campaign in order to raise sufficient funds to purchase the property and erect a new building.
[Update: Town Planning Commission approved site plan on 10/14/21.]