ESSEX, Vt. (WCAX) – Town officials are meeting again in Essex Thursday to decide if Amazon should be allowed to build a new warehouse, the first of its kind in the state.

The plans call for a 107,000-square-foot facility to be built on 23 acres near Saxon Hill Road, a part of town that has a mix of residential and industrial development.

The proposal has drawn mixed reviews, with many expressing concerns about increased traffic and whether it fits with the town’s character. Supporters say it could bring more tax revenue and would set a good precedent for other companies looking to expand.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott on Thursday said the community should remain open to the proposal. “I know that there’s a lot of pushback within the community. I understand it — more traffic and so forth and maybe not the jobs they want — but economic development is economic development. So, I think we should at least be open to the concept,” he said.

The Development Review Board meets in the Essex High School Cafeteria at 6:30 p.m. It’s the second attempt to hold the meeting this month after previous technical difficulties.

Reporter Laura Ullman will have more on this developing story on the Channel 3 News at 5, 6, and 11.

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