Town Government
Essex Town Departments
Finding the Right Department
Most of what residents need from the town runs through a department, not an elected official: paying a bill, pulling a permit, reporting a problem, registering to vote. The Town Administrator works to keep the departments coordinated, though he does not supervise them, and several have boards of their own, such as the Board of Public Works and the Board of Health.
The directory below covers the departments residents contact most. For the full list, hours, and staff, visit essexma.org. Town Hall is at 30 Martin Street, and the Police and Fire departments are at the Public Safety Building, 11 John Wise Avenue.
Department Directory
| Town Clerk | Records, licenses, vital records, the town census, and elections. Town Clerk Amy S. Akell. 978-768-7111. |
|---|---|
| Public Works | Streets, water, sewer, cemeteries, the transfer station, and snow plowing. An Acting Superintendent runs the department while the Board of Public Works fills the post, at the Water Filtration Plant, 44 Centennial Grove Road. 978-768-6262. |
| Board of Health | Inspections, clinics, and health complaints. Board of Health Administrator Erin Kirchner. 978-768-7614. |
| Police & Harbormaster | Public safety, non-emergency response, and the town’s waterways, from the Public Safety Building at 11 John Wise Avenue. Chief of Police and Harbormaster Tom Shamshak. 978-768-6200. |
| Fire Department | Fire suppression, prevention, and emergency medical response, from the Public Safety Building at 11 John Wise Avenue. Fire Chief Christian Hassel. 978-768-6363. |
| Council on Aging | The Essex Senior Center at 17 Pickering Street, with outreach and programs for older residents. Director Tess Leary. 978-768-7932. |
| T.O.H.P. Burnham Library | Books, programs, computers, and a card that works at libraries across Massachusetts. Director Carla Christensen. 978-768-7410. |
| Board of Assessors | Property values, tax bills, and abatements. Administrative Clerk Patricia Wright. 978-768-7831. |
| Treasurer / Collector | Tax and utility payments, and the town’s accounts. 978-768-4519. |
Town departments carry out state and local law. See how Massachusetts government connects to your town.
MassCivics last checked this page on October 20, 2026.
Sources
- Town records: Town of Essex, Assessor’s Office, as of October 2026.
- Town records: Town of Essex, Board of Health, as of October 2026.
- Town records: Town of Essex, Council on Aging, as of October 2026.
- Town records: Town of Essex, Fire Department, as of October 2026.
- Town records: Town of Essex, News Flash, as of January 28, 2026.
- Town records: Town of Essex, Staff Directory, as of October 2026.
- Town records: Town of Essex, T.O.H.P. Burnham Library, as of October 2026.
- Town records: Town of Essex, Treasurer / Collector, as of October 2026.
- Town Clerk records: Town of Essex, Town Clerk, as of October 2026.