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12/26/2023 01:39 PMRe-elected for a seventh term as Essex’s First Selectman, Norm Needleman is looking forward to major town projects in the areas of recreation and infrastructure being completed over the next two years, along with meeting challenges existing within the town government.
Needleman said one of the major grant projects ready to be completed in town is the long-awaited construction of the River Road Sidewalk Project, which began in June of this year following safety concerns the town heard from residents of nearby Heritage Cove.
“The only thing we’re waiting for is the pedestrian bridge over the river, which has been ordered” and is expected to be installed by the project time of completion in April 2024, said Needleman.
A second major grant project the town is looking to move forward on is flood mitigation efforts at the Ferry Street and Pratt Street intersection, which has been susceptible to unpredictable flooding due to inclement weather for decades. Public Works Director Ryan Welch said the project, which is supported by a $444,000 grant from the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP), will see the intersection’s elevation increase. Welch said he expects work to begin in spring 2025, with time between now and then to map out the design and management plans.
“It’ll be exciting,” said Needleman. “Unfortunately, you can’t hold back the tide, but we think we can raise the road enough without negatively impacting abutting property owners so that there are less days when we lose the ability to pass [the road].”
Finally, the summer and fall of 2024 will see major upgrades at Hubbard Park as the second part of the Civic Campus recreation project by the town.
Upgrades will include “A new building, parking area, green space, making it more pedestrian friendly and a little bit safer,” with additional improvements to the sidewalks around the park, said Needleman.
Needleman said the town’s Capital Committee, chaired by his colleague on the Board of Selectman Bruce Glowac, is reviewing a long list of even more grant possibilities for the town.
Needleman said the town is looking forward to possibly beginning the first phase of an effort to restore Thatchbed Island and mitigate the build-up of dredge spoils. He said this will take shape partly by constructing a surrounding barrier and “an area where we can dump local dredge soil,” according to Needleman.
“We save a tremendous amount of money if we do that,” he said.
As far as money goes, the town is expected to have a major bond drop-off in 2026, which is one of several Needleman hopes to see fall in line in the future to cover certain expenses for up to 10 years.
Turning towards the government, while “Essex has had a very good track record of retaining employees,” the town is facing an aging workforce in some of its departments, said Needleman.
Maintaining a sustainable balance of town staff is “the most important part” of Needleman’s role, he said, as it provides a solid foundation upon which the town can be run.
“Manager, general workforce, and Town Hall - if it’s working well as a well-oiled machine, it’s better for the town, and it’s better for us as elected leaders,” said Needleman.
Needleman said he is also determined to make early voting an option in town for elections, knowing the complicated situation it can offer for registrars already working upwards of 250 hours a year. Needleman said he is open to ensuring the office fairly compensates for what would be a “huge expansion” of their role.
“I need to be there to provide the resources to them that they need. I think that there’s gonna have to be some extra salary for them,” he said.