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From the First Selectman's Desk

Posted on: March 2, 2024 - 1:17am
News from the First Selectman

This week we enjoyed a ‘February 29th’! Happy Leap Year. A 366th day is added to keep the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical year or seasonal year. This calendar correction happens only every four years.

This week in review: This week’s meetings included among others, two Special Board of Selectman meetings, a regular Board of Selectman meeting as well as a Board of Finance meeting. So much was discussed. We are trying to add a hybrid component to all of our BOS meetings moving forward, so please plan to join us, either on-line or in person.
The Board of Selectman voted at our Tuesday evening meeting, to approve and advance several of the ARPA fund requests made at an early February BOS meeting. However, when we presented our recommendations to the BOF, they were not approved as presented. The BOS will meet again to make this final determination for the ARPA funds that remain and will present them again to the BOF for approval. Stay tuned for more information.
Selectman Gates and I met with the Fire Chief, the Assistant Chief, the Chairperson of the Fire Commissioners and with the building architect, to review new updated drawings for the new fire house. The new plans seem to have everything the department needs. The next step is to send the plans to a civil engineer to determine if the current site is sufficient for this size building.
The RiverCog Regional Housing Committee met this week. The speaker was Beth Sabilia who works for the Center for Housing Equity and Opportunity (CHEO). She works locally to determine what the needs are and how to utilize best practices to achieve them.
A meeting of the RiverCog, with CEO’s from all 17 member towns, was held Wednesday morning. We had presentations from UCONN, from the Regional Election Advisor, and reports from all of the subcommittees. This is a meeting that is always chock full of great information. I serve on the Household Hazardous Waste Sub-Committee, which just revised the interlocal agreement. After review by our town attorney, the residents of Deep River will vote on whether or not Deep River will participate in this agreement at the next town meeting. I will speak more about this in the near future. This is a good thing for the town; one we have participated in for several years.
I met with a grant writer who is interested in coming to speak to our EDC committee. I will be reaching out to our chairperson, Alison Sloane, to set up an informational session.
Wednesday, a group of Selectman went up to Valley Regional High School to have a walk-through at the school. We spoke to several teachers and staff to hear how the disruption caused by the influx of students from John Winthrop, was affecting their school year. We heard the good, the bad, and the ugly. We definitely need to find a solution to make this a more workable situation. But what is that solution? Many options have been presented and talked about.  All options will take money. The option on the table now, will cost 5.8 million; this is for the proposed mold remediation project. Get educated; Region 4 is holding an informational session at a Region 4 BOE Special Meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 @6:00 p.m. The meeting will be in the Valley Regional High School Media Center or you can dial in (321) 428-6155 PIN: 108 601 313#
While, I totally support continuing the conversation about regionalization, or at least a collaborative agreement between the three towns, we need to figure out what we want to do with John Winthrop school. Please plan to attend the March 12th meeting. The referendum for this expenditure will be held on March 26th; plan to come out and vote. Your voice matters.  
I sat down with two representatives from the Connecticut Water Company and learned that with the expected rate increase, Deep River will realize about $1000 a month more in costs for the hydrants. That is some $12K more a year than what we are currently paying. The new rates, if approved, would take effect in July 2024.
Thursday, myself, Selectman Gates and Eric, our public works director, took a trip to the transfer station to meet with engineers from Jacobson Engineering and two environmental scientists from Atlas to discuss the plan and work involved to close the former household dump site. It seems like a daunting task, but we all left there with individual action items, so we are moving it forward.  
Friday brought the signing of town bills, checks and a budget discussion. I also attended a meeting of the Design Advisory board, where the members gave a resident guidance on a design he presented for the construction of a new residential property. Deep River is full of so many awesome volunteers. This committee is looking for new members; if you have a design background or just like to offer your help, please consider becoming part of this committee.

DRES: Congratulations to the DRES 6th class for the successful bake sale they had last Sunday. The fundraiser was held for a cause that they are so passionate about; bringing water to underserved communities in Uganda. Their goal is to raise $7000 to have a well drilled. I stopped by and was impressed with not only the large variety of goodies to choose from but by the students themselves. Several engaged with me and explained why this project is so important. They raised over $1000 at the sale. Their efforts so far, put them at about $3000 raised to date.

bake sale

The DRES PTO along with the Deep River Garden Club will be holding a flower sale. The PANSY SALE is open! The deadline to purchase your gorgeous blooms is March 18th with a pick up date of March 28, just in time for Easter. These locally grown flowers come in biodegradable baskets and will last for months. Supporting the beautification of our elementary school and town has never been more lovely. https://forms.gle/e9KAgkv2bNuhK96C9 

Don’t forget the ‘Tip-A-Teacher’ night @ Marker 37 on Wednesday March 13th from 5-8 pm. All proceeds will go to two great causes; The Nest Coffee House and the Deep River Fire Department. Save the date and plan to come down for dinner.

Deep River Library-Friends: The Friends of the Library‘s annual psychic event is BACK! They are hosting Catherine Crowley from ‘Mystics By The Sea’ on Sunday, April 21 from 1- 3 pm. Doors open at 12:30pm. Space is limited, please pre-buy your tickets HERE and save. Tickets are $40.00 now and $45.00 at the door.  *All proceeds go directly to our public library and programs. This event will be held in the Town Hall Auditorium.

Feeling creative? Check out these cool outlets for your imagination-
April 20 & 21 – Local Deep River artist, Alan James, will be offering a weekend watercolor workshop.  Alan’s studio is located at 116 Main Street in Deep River. This workshop is suitable for beginners and intermediates. The daily sessions will each run for 5 hours, from 10-3 pm. Price for each daily session is $100.00. You may attend both days. To register and for more information, go to his website alan@alanjamesart.com
Teen Creative Crawl coming to SOMA (South Main Street Art Collective) on Friday, April 19th. This program is offered to teens ages 12 and up. Participants will create fusion glass with River Fire Glass; take a yoga class with River valley dance and make a candle with Shell & Bee Studio. This program is being co-sponsored by Tri Town Youth services as well as Middlesex United way. To register please call 860-322-3986 or email to somadeepriver@gmail.com
 

Parks and Recreation Happenings:

  • Adult co-ed volleyball takes place every Wednesday evening from 6:45-9:15 pm @ Valley Regional High School Gym. No pre-registration is required. This is a free program. Open to all area residents over 21 years old.
  • Bus Trips are back: Join the P & R department as they head to New York City to catch a Broadway Show or to just experience the city on your own. Date: Sunday, April 28th. Bus departs at 9:00 am. from the former exit 4, Route 9 commuter lot. The bus will arrive back at approximately 9:00 pm. You choose your show from these 2 Musicals- Neil Diamond’s ‘A Beautiful Noise’ or ‘The Wiz’ featuring Wayne Brady. Or just head to the city in the comfort of a coach bus; leave the driving to us. Cost for the show & bus is $195 per person. Cost for the bus only is $70.00 per person. Register on the P & R web site by following this link: bus trips
  • The Easter Eggstravaganza will be held on Saturday, March 23rd @ Devitt Field. The fun starts at 11:00am with games, face painting and music. Food and sweets will be available for purchase from Chris’ Hot Dogs and The Nest. There will be a special appearance by the Easter Bunny who will arrive at 11:30 am. The egg hunt will begin @ 12:00 sharp. This is a free event offered to Deep River youth ages Pre-K through grade 6.  The rain date will be March 24th.  

This Weekend: The Deep River Land Trust needs your help this weekend as they boil down their sap! They need volunteers to help stoke the fire and with other tasks. Any time you can give, even 30 minutes, will be appreciated. Stop by the sugar shack at Bushy Hill Nature Center tomorrow 3/2 or Sunday 3/3 to help out.

Missing the Red House? Come taste their chili at the 27th annual Old Saybrook Chili Fest, tomorrow from 12-2:30. Ballots are $15.00 and let you sample chili from 25 chefs who will compete for the title “Best Chili”. Proceeds will benefit the Chamber’s Wilfred Hunter Memorial Scholarship for graduating high school seniors attending post-secondary school. of Commerce scholarship fund. The Red House is again open for business after their short vacation/renovation; stop in and say hello.

Need a good read? Visit Bennett’s Books this weekend and grab a few new titles for your library. They are donating 20% of all sales to Kamoras Cultural Corner. This is an organization that is doing important work to build communities while dismantling systems of oppression. Visit their web site @kamoras.cultural.corner.

Update from the Animal Control Officer:  If you are interested in adopting a dog, please fill out an adoption form on the town of Essex web page. Photos of some of the dogs have been published. ACO Fountain, will reach out to each qualified applicant to schedule a time to meet at the pound to see the dogs. Everyone interested in adoption, must fill out the application. On another note, a big thank you to the students at DRES who raised money for the care of the dogs through their ‘dollars for dogs’ fundraiser. Each student who made a donation to the cause was able to wear their PJ’s to school on Friday, February 23rd. The students raised a total of $167.10 which was presented to the ACO.  

Notes: Think Spring… Deep River Ice will be opening on April 20th, for their 4th season! Set your reminders to come down for a scoop of ice cream or some delicious Italian Ice from 1-9 pm on 4/20.

The Nest has their vintage food trailer ready to roll. Watch for it at a concert this summer, or at the Deep River farmer’s market or a local event. Same great food you have come to expect!   

Reminders:
Deep River Historical Society-presents an interesting program called Tories, Spies, and Traitors: Divided Loyalty in Revolutionary Connecticut. March 7th @ 7:00pm.
Deep River Chester Little League is holding a Munson candy fundraiser. What a delicious way to support this youth organization serving Deep River and Chester ball players. The sale will run through 3/17/24. Place orders by visiting the web page- chocolates    Orders will be ready around 3/25/24.
Start training for a 5K, so you can “Catch a Leprechaun” running the Region 4 Education Foundation Inc.’s, 5K Run/Walk on March 16th. The race kicks at 10:00 am from the Essex Town Hall. To register and learn more go to https://runsignup.com

Remember to purchase your tickets for the Valley Regional High School Musical production of the “Wizard of Oz”.  Performances are 3/15 @ 7 pm; 3/16 1pm & 7pm & 3/17 @ 1pm. Tickets can be purchased at Celebrations and at VRHS. All tickets are $15.00.  

Finally: Congratulations to Mike and Stacie DiNello, who have owned and operated the Riverwind Inn Bed & Breakfast for the last 7 years, on their official retirement as inn keepers. They recently announced that they have made the difficult decision to close down the inn. The inn has been a wonderful part of the town and the community. Stacie and Mike have welcomed guests from all over the world and shared all of the great things that our lovely town has to offer. The Riverwind Inn has received numerous awards such as Best of Connecticut, Best of New England and Best of the Shoreline to name a few. Thank you, Stacie and Mike, for all you have contributed to our town with this thriving business and for all that you give back to the town, with your volunteer efforts. You are appreciated.

Hope you all got to see the full moon last weekend. 

moon

Enjoy this weekend.

Carol