From the First Selectman's Desk
Tuesday evening was a Board of Selectman meeting. It is so great to see so many residents coming to the meetings and offering comments, ideas and suggestions during the audience of citizens’ sessions.
Wednesday morning, I met with Jeff Jacobson and the interim P & R Director, Miriam Morrissey at Plattwood Park, where we finalized the location of the new restrooms and concession stand. Jacobson Engineering will complete the design and drawings so that we can keep moving ahead with this exciting new addition to the park.
I then met with Barry Luff and Ryan DeMik who are the Local Emergency Operations Directors for Deep River. They are working hard to establish an Emergency Operations Plan and an emergency communications center here at Town Hall so that if any severe weather or other emergency arises, we will have a command post to offer organized procedures and direction to first responders, police, fire, Red Cross, etc. We thank them for all of their efforts as they work closely with the First Selectman’s Office, the DR Fire Department, DR Ambulance, Region 4, DRES, Public Works and our Police department as well as the State Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and Homeland Security.
Wednesday afternoon, we held a Freedom of Information (FOI) workshop here at the town hall so that all town employees, and board and commission members could become well versed in the rights of the public to request and receive information. The Freedom of Information Act was established in 1975 under Governor Ella Grasso, allowing people to request information from and about local and federal government. This two-hour training was well attended and received very positive feedback. I will pursue adding lunch training or informational sessions on a wide variety of topics on a more regular basis. These will be free and open to the public.
Wednesday evening, I attended the Board of Education Supervision District meeting. Again, they talked about their budget. They are asking for almost 1 million dollars over last year’s budget. Please remember, that once the Supervision budget is set, it can not be voted on by the public. This budget is only voted on by the Supervision board members. The Supervision Board is comprised of three members of each of the other boards of Education. The Supervision District budget is different than the Region 4 or local Board of Education budgets. Come out and make your voices heard. Budget workshop dates are below. Check out their proposed budget on the Region 4 page or by following this link. Supervision Budget Slides
The workshop dates are as follows:
● January 17: Supervision District Budget Workshop #3● January 29: Present proposed Supervision District 2024-2025 budget at Public Hearing● February 22: Supervision District meeting and possible Vote to approve 2024-2025 Supervision District budget● February 22: Joint Board of Education Meeting, presentation of combined budget request, and possible Vote to approve 2024-2025 Supervision District budgetThursday, I attended my second facilities meeting at DRES and later attended a meeting of the Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission. This group is working hard to educate and enforce rules and regulations to protect our lovely open spaces and wetlands areas. Residents should reach out if they plan to do any work on their property that might impact a wetland area and if they have questions. In some cases, permits are required. Better to get informed so that wetland areas are not negatively impacted. The Commission is looking to establish a stewardship program where volunteers can ‘adopt’ a trail and help with the maintenance and upkeep of that trail. If you are interested in volunteering, please come to the next CIWC meeting which is held on the 2nd Thursday of the month. Also, a reminder, that there is no hunting on Land Trust Land. According to the CT State DEEP website, January through March is mating season for coyotes. They are known to become more aggressive during this time and when their pups arrive in April. Please take more precautions when out with your dogs. Please leash your dogs.
Today, the BOS and BOF members were treated to a tour and informational session at the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) Plant on Winter Avenue. Plant Director Pete Lewis along with Plant operator John Ely, gave an overview of plant operations and a tour of the facility sharing operational facts, figures and information. We are fortunate that former First Selectman Joe Miezejeski had the forethought to have a water treatment plant built to help our town grow while also being good stewards to local streams and to the Connecticut River. The plant was built in 1989.
I was delighted to stop in at the Connecticut Coastal Academy which is now open in the former Citizen’s Bank building on Main Street. I had a wonderful tour of the facility by Special Education Director, Ann Perzan, who even introduced me to the 20+ students on campus today. She told me that everyone in Deep River has been so welcoming! The school has so much to offer the students, from science STEM classes, to their own morning news show complete with green screen, to arts, music and humanities. Much more is being planned. Executive Director Dr. Pamela Potemri, was not on hand today but was at the other CT Coastal Academy property in Voluntown, CT which is called the Tamarack campus. The Connecticut Coastal Academy is a state-approved, private special education program for students in Grade 6 through age 22. It is overseen by the CT Department of Education, and provides educational support and specialized services to at-risk students with disabilities. Their mission is to help young people create lives of meaning, purpose, and joy. Welcome to Deep River!
Looking ahead to next week, the Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public Hearing on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at the Deep River Town Hall and via Zoom Videoconference. Please see all of the details on the town’s web site.
The town is hiring for the following positions:
- Recording secretary-Board of Selectman
- Recording Secretary-Board of Finance
- Transfer Station Attendant-Transfer Station
For all details and to apply, please see Tina in the Selectman’s Office.
The Food Pantry will be undergoing some upgrades when we add new shelving and an additional refrigerator to the space. To keep costs down, we are seeking a donation of a full-size refrigerator, any color, new or slightly used, so that we can offer perishable food items to our residents who utilize the pantry. Currently, the food pantry has one small apartment sized refrigerator which is inadequate for our needs. By adding an additional one, we would be able to stock more milk, butter and eggs or other perishable food that is donated. If you would like to help out or have a unit to donate, please call Tina in the Selectman’s office. The food pantry is located at 56 High Street. Thank you to the Community Health Committee who works tirelessly offering assistance to our Social Service Director, Rosie Biniger, maintains the food pantry and also administers the back pack program. There currently are two vacancies on the Committee. If you would like to volunteer, please send me an email. The group meets once a month and as needed.
Please remember that the Town Hall will be closed on Monday, 1/15/24 in honor of Martin Luther Kings’ Birthday.
Have a great weekend. Stay safe, take precautions, and be smart.
Carol