ESSEX — Special Town Meeting last night gave its voice approval to spending some $28,000 more on studies of Conomo Point, buying a new police cruiser and Council on Aging transportation van — and backing the town's membership in an expanded North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District, while covering Essex's cost of its $131 million new school.
The first unanimous vote from the estimated 150 residents at Essex Elementary School authorized spending another $3,000 for a consultant to finalize and present plans for subdividing the town's Conomo Point land south of Robbins Island Road.
The approval of Article 1 last night gives the town the $3,000 needed for additional support from Horsley Witten Inc., the firm hired by the town in 2008 to draw up lot lines to subdivide the portion of Conomo Point south of Robbins Island Road.
The money will allow the company to continue meeting with the Conomo Point Planning Committee and give a possible presentation of the options for the property at the annual Town Meeting in May, according to Selectman Mark Lynch.
On Article 2 — with some "nays" and after spirited debate — residents agreed to spend $25,000 to hire a consultant to undertake a recreational and residential planning study for Conomo Point north of Robbins Island Road, leading to the town's waterfront area.
In giving their vocal approval to Article 3, voters called for spending $35,000 for a new police cruiser, while Article 4 sought some $12,000 to supplement a grant that will pay for 80 percent of the cost for a new van for the town's seniors and the Council on Aging.
Residents also voiced their emphatic approval for becoming part of the merged North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District, which will combine North Shore Technical High School in Middleton, Essex Agricultural and Technical High School in Danvers and elements of the Peabody vo-tech program in a single new school on the Essex Aggie campus.
Discussion was continuing on the remainder of the 10-article warrant later last night. For more results, look to the Breaking News box later today at gloucestertimes.com; for full coverage of last night's meeting, look to tomorrow's print edition of the Gloucester Daily Times and online at gloucestertimes.com
Jonathan Phelps can be reached at 978-283-7000 x3447 or gt_reporter@gloucestertimes.com.
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