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From the First Selectman's Desk

Posted on: January 26, 2024 - 9:56pm
News from the First Selectman

The week ended on a rainy note with more rain expected late Saturday evening and all-day Sunday. We may see some mixed rain and snow Sunday and into Monday. With temperatures expected to approach freezing, please watch out for icy conditions if you are driving anywhere Sunday and Monday.

Well, another busy and exciting week filled with a variety of meetings and the opportunity to talk up Deep River and our community’s needs.

I continued the dialogue with residents of Bridge Street whose property borders Keyboard Pond. They appreciate that the town has been so attentive to their communications regarding the water level in the pond. There is a very old, privately owned, sluice gate that controls the water flow and ultimately the water level.  The group text chain is up to 10 people and I so appreciate the quick messages before, during and after a big rain storm. Thank you for being the ‘eyes’ on that lovely pond and keeping me in the loop.

Tuesday evening was super busy with a Board of Ed meeting, Board of Selectman meeting and a Board of Finance meeting. The Region 4 Board of Education called a special meeting to bring all of the Tri-Town leaders together with the goal of making a decision on the next steps for John Winthrop School. Many leaders, school board members, Board of Finance members, parents and educators had the opportunity to speak out and offer their opinions. The majority wanted the students back in the school as soon as possible. The school board is now going to move forward with hiring the appropriate companies that can do the work necessary to have the students back in their classrooms come September. We do not yet have an exact cost. However, the options presented by the consultants had the most minimal work to be done priced at over 4 million dollars. Hopefully, the work required to achieve the desired end result, can be done in such a way, that we never see that price tag.

At the January meeting of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG), on Wednesday, I had the chance to speak to other local leaders and to hear about so many proposals and projects in the works for our area. Congressman Joe Courtney was on hand to give a legislative update along with State Senator Norm Needleman and State Rep. Irene Haines from East Haddam. The Council of Governments is comprised of the member municipalities Chief Executive Officials. As such, the RiverCOG is comprised of thirteen First Selectmen, one Mayor and three Town Managers. Check out the RiverCOG website to learn about all of the resources available to the town as a result of being a member of this consortium.  https://www.rivercog.org/

In the fall, we entered into an agreement with Essex and Chester to hire a full-time animal control officer, (ACO), to be shared between the three towns. In the past, each town had its own part time ACO, but that lead to a high rate of turnover. Offering a qualified, trained ACO a full-time position, with benefits made the most sense. Our ACO is Caroline Fountain, who resides here in Deep River. She is officially an Essex employee and can be seen driving a marked Essex vehicle. We are excited with this arrangement. On Wednesday afternoon, the three First Selectman, the Town’s Resident troopers and Caroline met to continue to work out all of the details of this new shared position.  If you are in need of assistance with an animal, please call the town hall @860-526-6020 option 1 or Caroline direct @ 860-391-7127.

While we were all together, after Norm, Cindy and myself spoke about the ACO position, we discussed the future of the five schools that make up Region 4. With the declining enrollment, and the age of the school buildings, what is next? We certainly don’t need 5 schools to house all of the students. There is a great deal of money spent on maintenance and there is some redundancy in staff positions. What should the future of education look like in the Tri-Town area? Should we consider regionalization? Obviously, this is a huge topic that needs further study, public input and much planning. This decision will not be made in a vacuum. After speaking to so many folks during the campaign and more recently with the mold issue at JW, there seems to be a definite interest in entertaining this idea and moving ahead with some discussion. Please let me know how you feel about this here in Deep River.  Email me your thoughts, I very much want to know where you stand.

Don't forget to come out to the Region 4, Supervision District and the local BOE budget workshops. Let your voice be heard when the decisions are being made. https://www.reg4.k12.ct.us/

A few other highlights of my week included a conversation with CTDOT about our road issues in regards to speeding. I also took a training class regarding our police accreditation grant. We held two employee pension work sessions and I had the opportunity to consult with our town attorney twice this week on pressing town issues.

Reminder-the food scraps program will continue at the transfer station. On speaking with Blue Earth, the company that hauls away the scraps, they asked that we instruct residents to utilize Bpi compostable bags. I did a little research, and found some at Home Depot and on Amazon (Amazon.com : bpi compostable bags ) at about 0.21-0.23 cent a bag for the 2-3 gallon size. I personally have purchased some from local stores as well, but I do not remember the cost. You may still utilize the ‘free’ green bags that you were given as part of the Pilot program if you still have some. However, Please do not use black bags of any size!   

A Transfer Station Committee was recently created to serve as an advisory committee to the Board of Selectmen. They will consider and make recommendations to the Board concerning general operation and administration of the Transfer Station, with an emphasis on proposals for waste reduction and other topics of interest to the Board. This committee will consist of 7 members, each serving two-year terms. Ideally, a passion for trash, recycling or an engineering background would make you a great addition to this committee. Please send an email to the First Selectman’s office if you are interested in serving on this committee.

If trash isn’t your thing, but you want to get more involved with the town, there are several openings on a variety of Boards and Commissions. We would love to have you volunteer and lend your voice. We need to hear from all of our Deep River residents so that everyone can feel represented. Currently, we have openings on the following Boards & Commissions:

  • Community Health Committee
  • Conservation and Inland Wetlands
  • Deep River Sustainable
  • Design Advisory Board
  • Economic Development
  • Library Board of Trustees
  • Municipal Ethics
  • Parks and Recreation
  • Planning and Zoning
  • Veteran’s Green Monument Committee
  • Zoning Board of Appeals

Please send me an email if you are interested in serving on any of these Boards or Commissions. Vacancies will be filled by the Board of Selectmen; minority representation shall be observed.

Have you seen the scaffolding at DRES? That is to allow the roofing company to address the chimney cap that came loose in a fall storm. They had previously installed a temporary ‘fix’ to the cap, but are returning to permanently correct the issue. The work should take about three weeks, due to the fact that scaffolding needs to be set up, anchored and then taken down after the work is completed. The actual roof work will be done in a matter of days. Please be mindful of this work at drop off and pick up.

A big welcome to the new Co-Pastor of Deep River Congregational Church, the Rev. Cheryl Caronna. She will join the Rev. Tim Haut at this beautiful historical church. We are so pleased to have you call Deep River home and wish you only the best.

We have a town meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening, February 6th @ 6:30, here in the Town Hall auditorium. We will be voting to approve 2 expenditures from the town’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The two items are:

  • New accounting software for the Finance Department-cost 85K
  • A new generator for the Public Works Department -cost $25K

Total expenditure will be $110K.

Following the town meeting, @ 7:00 pm, we will hold a special Board of Selectman meeting to hear presentations from town groups and departments who are also requesting a share of ARPA funds. The town currently has approximately $220K remaining. Please plan to come and lend your voice and support.

I am sending this late, but there is still time to run down and catch some great live music tonight at Landing & Main. Head down to hear “Blind by Eight” who is playing until 11:00 pm. Every Friday, plan to hit Landing and Main for live, local music, from 8-11 pm.. Thursday nights are open mic nights too!

Looking ahead, Spruce Ledge Farm is open for Valentine’s Gift Giving! Beginning February 3rd through February 14th from 12 pm-4 pm pick up some locally created gifts made by area artists and artisans. Spruce Ledge Farm is located on Route 80, close to the 145 (Horse Hill Road) blinking light @574 Winthrop Rd, Deep River. Buy your Valentine something special and shop local!  Downtown Deep River also has so many great choices when you are looking for that special something.

Job Openings:

  • The town is hiring for a Wetlands Enforcement Officer. The job description will be posted by mid-week. This is a part time job opportunity. Call the Selectman’s Office for more information.
  • The town will also be hiring for summer, seasonal help beginning in March. These positions include gate guards, life guards, and town crew. Plan to work for the town this summer. Help us spread the word about these great opportunities.
  • PT-Recording Secretary-Board of Selectman
  • PT-Recording Secretary-Board of Finance
  • FT-Transfer Station Attendant-Transfer Station
  • PT-Assistant in the Building Department

I want to get out and meet with those who are unable to come in to meet with me; lets do coffee! I am working on a clever name for it…’First Selectman Fridays’ come to mind. So, let’s set the date for Friday, February 9th (my son’s birthday!). I have not yet confirmed the location, but I will post it next week. I will plan on being there from 7:00-8:00 am.  Mark your calendars. And, I will take suggestions for a new name for our coffee klatch.

Have a great weekend. Stay warm and dry.

Carol