ESSEX, Vt. -
The Essex Police Department has a lot of hopes riding on election day. One ballot item asks voters to approve a bond of up to $6.9 million to purchase a new facility for the department.
The Essex Police Department made a temporary move into the town's municipal offices in the early 1980's. They have yet to move out. Town officials say the facility is much too small for its staff.
"They eat lunch on the table where they do drug testing. I mean it's just ridiculous," Essex Selectboard Chair Linda Myers said.
After two citizen committees searched for a new facility for more than two years the Selectboard voted in favor of moving the station to an IBM facility with ten times the room as the current headquarters. But to get a more space, voters will also have to approve more taxes.
The average tax payer will pay $11 in new taxes per year over the next twenty but much of it is front loaded.
The Essex Police Department declined to comment on the ballot item as to not give voters the perception they are pushing the ballot item. But Essex voters have their own opinions about the project.
"I think it's very reasonable and I'm in complete agreement that it's needed," Essex resident Aaron Stewart said.
"But people see raised taxes and their heads explode."
"I guess for me it would matter how much was added on from other projects," Essex resident Elisabeth Smith said.
