Print
Share page with AddThis

From the First Selectman's Desk

Posted on: April 27, 2024 - 12:52am
News from the First Selectman
Tonight:
Red House- Check out the new Spring Menu. Also, Happy Hour- Tuesday-Fridays 3:30-5:30pm.
Landing & Main-Live Music-debut of ‘Blade’, 8pm-11pm
This weekend:
Drug Take Back Program- Deep River Town Hall, 4/27 @ 10am- 2:00 pm
DR P & R Bus Trip to NYC – Sunday, 4/28 (still seats available-call P & R @ 860-526-6036)
Essex Steam Train-“Day out with Thomas” 4/27 & 4/28
The Chester Ferry is again operational, weekdays and weekends
Next week:
DR Town Meeting to present the Budget-4/30 @ Town Hall
DR P & R Bus Trip to NYC – Sunday, 4/28
Coming Up:
Grand Opening-Full Pen Fabrication-new business in the industrial park-5/4; 11-3 pm
DRES and DRFD 2nd annual pasta dinner- 5/4
Final Region 4 BOE Public Hearing on proposed 2024-2025 budget- Monday,5/6
Region 4 Budget referendum-Tuesday, 5/7
Winthrop Cemetery Volunteer cleanup day-50th year!- 5/11
DR Parks and Recreation Fishing Derby-5/11
The Nest’s, Lantern Illumination Celebration-5/18
Tri-Town Youth Services- 5/18, “Free the Stigma, Scoop the Solution”- Free ice cream 2-5 pm.    
Town Meeting to vote on Deep River’s budget-Monday, 5/20
Save the date:
Winthrop Memorial Day Parade-Sunday, 5/26 @1pm.
Deep River Memorial Parade -Monday, 5/27 @ 9 am.
DR P & R Music Festival- ‘Route 154 Fest’-6/22-6/23 more details to follow
 
Another wonderful week with some real spring weather! I hope you all had a chance to get out and enjoy it. A busy week here putting the finishing touches on a real tough budget. Shout out to the Board of Finance who worked so hard and made some tough decisions. Please plan to come to the town meeting on Tuesday evening, where the budget will be presented.
This week in review:
Monday-
  • Meeting with Chester and Essex First Selectman, Finance Department members, the Essex Resident State Trooper and our Animal Control Officer about adding Westbrook to the ACO agreement. Currently the agreement is between the three Region 4 towns.
  • Met with Phil from ‘Signs and Digital Graphics’, and Tim from ‘Top Notch Electrical’ about the placement of the new digital sign to be installed at the Devitt Field entrance or thereabouts. The exact location will be dependent on the easiest access for the power supply. Signs and Digital Graphics recently was awarded the bid for the installation of electronic digital signs. The town received a grant and was hoping it would cover the cost and install of three signs in total. Based on the prices that came in however, it appears that maybe not even 2 will be able to be purchased and installed.
  • Due to allergies, I did not join the P & R women’s hiking club on their first spring hike to the Smythe Preserve. They told me that it was a wonderful hike! Due to the popularity of this program, P & R has added a second weekly session. Now there are two options, a Monday Hiking Club and a Thursday Hiking Club. Limited spots remain, register today.  
hiking
 
Tuesday-
  • Regional Housing Committee meeting with all towns in the RiverCog ( https://www.rivercog.org/). There was an interesting discussion with a developer and a real estate agent. Later I met with two residents and the evening brought both a Board of Selectman and a Board of Finance meeting.  Many appointments were made at the BOS meeting; thank you to all of the residents who step up and volunteer. The BOF and BOS worked on the budget until after 9:00 pm!
Wednesday-
  • There was a meeting of all First Selectman and Municipal Public Officials of the 17 towns that make up the RiverCog regional planning agency. So much was covered. A few things to note;
    • A discussion about how Early Voting worked throughout our region was reported on by Carol Conklin, who serves as the regional elections monitor. The State of Connecticut requires an election monitor with each regional planning agency to help the secretary of the state with the preparation and execution of each election, as well as with any primary, recanvass, or any audit. Statewide, Early Voting did not produce a large number of voters but it is expected to see an increase as we move towards the November election.
    • A report from our local and state elected officials was given and one take away was a friendly reminder to renew your passports with ample time to spare. Many countries are not allowing travelers to enter if their passport will expire 1-2 months after their planned departure date due to the concern over the traveler getting sick and not allowed to travel home, which would force an extended stay. So, check your passport expiration dates.
    • Alison Dvorak, who is the Executive Director of Senior Resources, spoke about this independent non-profit that does not charge for its services. This free resource can be used like a safety-net for our elderly residents or those with an elderly family member or neighbor needing services. They offer referrals and help to get everyone connected. You may call for yourself or for a loved one. The number is 1-800-994-9422. Also, please don’t forget to utilize our Deep River resources, our Social Service office can be reached at 860-526-6033 or call me @ town hall (860-526-6020 option 1); we all are here to help.
    • RiverCog reported on the Regional Waste Authority (RWA) Grant proposal that they have prepared for the region and will submit to the state.
  • Following the RiverCog meeting, I had a meeting with the town attorney, our building and zoning department officials, our assessor, the tax collector and a sanitarian from the Connecticut River Area Health District (CRAHD) concerning a property that has been a blight on its neighborhood for a number of years. The goal is to identify the next steps to address the situation. I plan to have a meeting with the neighbors soon.
  • I had a quick meeting with our Resident State Trooper who offered an update on the vandalism that occurred at Valley Regional High School on April 7th. In case you haven’t yet heard, it was reported that a portable classroom and the main building were damaged during the overnight hours. The damage to the building and facilities was reported to be in excess of $20,000. The investigation resulted in the identification of three adult suspects and one juvenile suspect. All parties have been released on bond and are due in Middletown Superior Court in early May.
Thursday –
  • I had a productive meeting with Susan Rooney and Linda Hall about the needs of the library. They have some facility needs like new windows, exterior and interior painting, helping to relocate book shelves, installing a new bike rack, book drop box, and helping to dismantle the current circulation desk to make way for the new one. If you have some time and muscle to spare, please stop and see either Susan or Linda and offer your services. Volunteer efforts are always appreciated, although for handy person services, some funding is available. If you haven’t been to the library in a while, you’ll love the new additions, starting with the rain garden and seed library in the back parking lot. Our library is a gem; make sure you visit soon.
  • Completed the revised lease agreement and all amendments to the lease agreement for Verogy who is installing the Solar Array Farm. After getting the document reviewed and notarized, Verogy picked up the completed documents. See more details about the solar farm below.
  • Spoke to our new Wetlands Enforcement Officer, Bruce, who has jumped right in to educate and enforce the town’s inland wetlands rules and requirements. He brought me up to speed on a few properties.
  • Unfortunately, I had to choose to attend the Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing last evening instead of the Winthrop Cemetery Annual membership meeting. The ZBA hearing was requested by Eastern Transfer Station to appeal a decision of the Deep River Zoning Enforcement Officer regarding unpermitted activity at 400 Commercial Drive. The public was offered the chance to speak on the record regarding this issue.
Friday-
  • Wrote a letter of hire for the new part time Social Service Director. She will be a wonderful addition. The offer letter will go out to the candidate on Monday morning, so look for the exciting announcement next week.
  • Our Public Works Director and myself, opened up the proposals received as part of the RFP for paving on several streets throughout town. The proposals will be reviewed and the jobs awarded late next week.  
  • Budget discussions continued… and later in the day, a special Board of Finance meeting was held to finalize the town budget and get ready for the town public meeting on Tuesday evening (4/30), where the budget will be presented.
Other News:
Solar Farm Array News:
Some of you have noticed the activity near the transfer station. Well, work has become on the much-anticipated solar farm which will be installed on the left side of the driveway leading to the highway garage. The installation will be ongoing with plans to be operational by October. Exciting news. The town has entered into a 20-year lease arrangement with Verogy and will realize a monthly rent payment totaling some 44K a year in revenue.
Devitt Playground:
The new playground equipment has been delivered and we are waiting for an install date from the manufacturer. The town’s Public Works department has done much of the site work so that things can more forward quickly when we do receive the schedule. The new pieces will consist of swings, climbers, adaptive pieces and even some musical fun. We will plan a ribbon cutting!
 
Sustainable Deep River:
The Sustainable Deep River committee is busy at work educating residents on recycling, food scraps, and how to conserve energy and water as they work towards submitting their application for a silver certification for the town. These volunteers collect and transport all of the thin plastics deposited at the containers around town. They are constantly reaching out to my office to offer new ideas and programs to help Deep River more towards being more sustainable. One such program they are planning is a Community Resilience Building (CRB) workshop. The Nature Conservancy in direct partnership with Sustainable CT, is offering this timely CRB workshop which will bring together community members like you to comprehensively identify and prioritize steps to reduce risk and improve resilience across Deep River. This workshop will also help clarify and advance comprehensive community resilience planning and hazard mitigation efforts.
 
They are inviting all Boards, Commissions, Committees, Town Departments, Community Groups, First Responders, Police, Town and School Leaders and members of the community at large to participate. The idea is to be proactive in preparing and protecting Deep River in case of emergency, natural disaster, flooding, etc. I would like to personally invite you to join me and the group for this online CRB Workshop. The workshop will take place on May 15th from 9:00am till 12:00pm. Please RSVP to either the First Selectman’s Office or to Sustainable Deep River chair, Sara Conner @ sustainabledeepriver@gmail.com.  This is an important exercise to help us to be more prepared. Please plan to participate.
The Chester Ferry is Operational:
With all the work on the East Haddam Bridge, it was a tough time to have the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry out of service. The historic ferries on the Connecticut River are returning to service after high water levels delayed the beginning of the 2024 season. They were initially supposed to begin running on April 1, but the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry and the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry will open at 7 a.m. on Friday, April 26. The services will run daily through Nov. 30.
Both ferries operate on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. and on weekends from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The cost is $5 per vehicle on weekdays for a car, SUV, truck, motorcycle or similar vehicle.
It is $6 per vehicle on weekends. The commuter rate is $3, which requires pre-purchased commuter coupons priced at a book of 20 for $60. There is a $2 walk-on rate for pedestrians and bicyclists on all days.
“Although we are getting a later start than expected, we are excited to launch the two historic Connecticut River ferries this week. These historic vessels offer some of the most unique modes of transportation anywhere in the country. No matter if someone is driving, walking, or a riding a bike, the ferries offer picturesque views of the river and communities, and are a wonderful way to travel,” the State Department of Transportation Commissioner stated. The Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry began service in 1655 and is the oldest continuously operating ferry in America, according to the state Department of Transportation. They said two horses on treadmills supplied the power to propel the vessel across the river at one time. Now, the Hollister III is towed back and forth by the Cumberland, a diesel-powered tugboat. Closer to home, the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry launched in 1769 and the state Department of Transportation began operating the service in 1917. The Selden III, the vessel that transports the public across the river, is celebrating its 75th year of service this year. The state Department of Transportation said the Selden III was commissioned by the state of Connecticut in 1941, but because of a shortage of steel due to World War II, it was not built and put into service until 1949.
 
Update on a Great Effort:
THEY DID IT!! The Deep River Elementary 6th grade class raised OVER $7,600.00 to drill a well in Uganda. They have their village. Akwondongi, Uganda will have access to clean water because of our 22 students and their time, dedication and diligence. We couldn’t be more proud!. Thank you to the amazing Deep River community for coming out and showing up- in the cold, in the rain, online and in-person. YOU helped them achieve this incredible feat. Thank you!! #dreseaglestrong 
sixth
April is National Volunteer Month!  As I mentioned last week, volunteers keep Deep River humming along, day in and day out. A shout out to several members of the Deep River Fire Department who should be recognized for completing additional training above and beyond the normal training schedule:
                Mathew Daniels-Firefighter 1
                Adam LaMay-Firefighter 2
Paige lee- EMT
Adam Sutch-Aerial Operator
Adam Kerop- EMR
Barry Luff- EMR
Christine Nowak- EMR
Ryan DeMik- EMR
AJ Kerop -EMR
Erin Lee – EMR
Tyler Stegina – EMR
Bryan Fabian - EMR
 
As mentioned, the Board of Finance and Board of Selectman have been meeting weekly, usually on Tuesday evenings, to work on the town budget. Our Finance Director is right there with us keeping both boards up to date with current expense figures, revenues and projections for next fiscal year. It frustrates all of us, that the bottom line will result in a mill rate increase. The budget will be presented to residents at a town meeting to be held next Tuesday, April 30th. Please mark your calendars and come out to be part of the discussion.
 
Other news: 
Memorial Day: Plan to be in town and help pay tribute to all of the members of the military who have served and who are no longer with us. The two annual parades will again be held; one in Winthrop on Sunday, 5/26 @ 1:00pm and the other, downtown on Monday morning, 5/27, @ 9 am. Please plan to attend the parades as a way to honor those who have served our great country. More information will be shared as the dates get closer.
 
DR Sustainable-
  • Look for the new textile bin at the transfer station. It is there, next to the other bins. Soiled or very worn clothes, sheets, towels and blankets that can’t be donated due to their condition can be put in the textile recycling bin and kept out of the household waste stream. The town will receive money for every ton of recycled material.
  • Final reminder, that the Lower CT River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCog) and it’s member municipalities, Deep River is one, are excited to announce the spring 2024 Community Compost Bin and Rain Barrel sale offered once again at a reduced cost. The Compost bins are “The Earth Machine” brand and retail for $150.00. The River Cog price is $69.95. The rain barrels are ‘Systern Rain Barrel’ brand and are on sale for $79.95. You can order by following this link: http://Connecticut.compostersale.com/rivercog. Orders need to be placed by May 3rd and pick up is May 5th. Backyard composting is an excellent way to reduce the amount of trash going to landfills while, rain barrels can help reduce water costs and provide a natural source of water for plants and gardens.
  • A great Earth Day event was held last week at Pandemonium along with the Deep River Garden Club. All three groups helped to celebrate the Earth and educate people about recycling, reusing, composting and treating the earth better in so many creative ways.
earth day
 
Tri-Town Youth Services-
  • Tri-Town Youth Services- as part of prevention week is holding a “Free the Stigma, Scoop the Solution”- ice cream social on May 18th from 2-5 pm. This is a free event and will be held at the Tri-Town Youth Building at 56 High Street.     
tri
 
Celebrate a Local Student:
Patch and T-Mobile are partnering to http://celebrate local Star Students who make life better with contributions big and small. Do you know an outstanding student you’d like the rest of Essex-Chester-Deep River to know about, too? http://Nominate them using their simple form, and they'll take care of the rest!
 
Annual Lantern Illumination Event:
This popular event returns on Saturday, May 18th @ 6:30 pm at Valley Regional High School. The event is held to ‘Light the Way for People of all Abilities.’ Plan to join in this magical evening of creativity and light. This year’s celebration includes:
  • An eco-friendly lantern for each participant to decorate and personalize on-site
  • Great food and company with The Nest’s Vintage Food Trailer
  • An Artist’s Showcase featuring local neuro-diverse artists and makers from our Possibilities Boutique
  • Music, kids’ activities and even a quiet sensory accessible area
  • A 50/50 Drawing
The event will take place at Valley Regional HS in Deep River and culminate with a massive display of lit lanterns folks can view close up! Bonus this year is that all lanterns can be taken home to display for years to come!
More details can be found at http://Lantern Illumination Celebration – A Little Compassion
News from our Departments:
Parks and Recreation-
  • Let’s welcome our new P & R Director, Michael McDowell. Mike is joining us from his previous job as Recreation Supervisor, in East Lyme where he has worked for the last 10 years. He will start in his new position on Monday, April 29th. Plan to stop by and say ‘hello’.
  • Summer youth camp registration is now open. Don’t miss out on the week you might want/need, as space is limited. Field trips are back. Hanna and Jake are back too! Register today.
  • Last call for the P & R bus to NYC on Sunday, April 28th. Register today!
  • Fishing Derby- May 11, 2024. Open to all area youth ages 5-15. 
fish
Tax Collector-
  • Friendly reminder, sewer tax is due in April; only a few days left.
We still have some vacant part time positions, as well as many vacancies on town Boards and Commissions, so please check the web site for all of this information:http://Current Vacancies | Deep River CT.
 
Please enjoy your weekend. Spring weather is promised.
 
If any of you are planning on going on the P & R bus trip Sunday, I will see you there.
 
Carol