About Essex County Forum

Since its inception in 1999, the Essex County Forum – "Smart Growth for Livable Communities”" has provided information, identified planning and conservation needs, and created a place to work together to promote the stewardship of our resources and make better decisions about how we grow.

Susan Jones Moses, a resident of Rowley and Planning Consultant works in Essex County’s communities as the Forum’s Circuit Rider, a term from the old west when officials would go from town-to-town, “riding the circuit” to provide their expertise.  Sue has worked throughout the United States on a range of smart growth topics.
Michael Prior, a resident of Hamilton chairs the Forum and is a Trustee for the Essex County Community Foundation.  Michael is the Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. and became involved in our work as a citizen volunteer.  He cares deeply about the county’s natural beauty and choosing wisely where and how we build in the future.
Mary Whitney, a resident of Salem, is the Director of the Essex County Forum.  She brings a background in business and planning to guide the work of the Forum and build a strong base of support to ensure its long term success.  She has helped communities with open space planning, water resource protection, and education on ecologically-sound land use.

Our strengths are our partnerships, independence and connections

to state and national efforts.