5 Things To Know In Chester, Essex & Deep River: School Visioning Meetings, Fire Truck Payments And More

DEEP RIVER, CT — Community meetings on the future of the PreK-12 schools come to Chester Elementary Wednesday and Thursday, Deep River's Board of Finance takes up fire truck payments Tuesday and early voting wraps up in all three towns.

Here are five things to know about life around Chester, Essex and Deep River this week:

1. Community Meetings On The Future Of The Schools
When: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Thursday, Oct. 29, 4 to 6 p.m.
Where: Gymnasium, Chester Elementary School, Chester
What to know: Two community meetings on PreK-12 district visioning are scheduled at Chester Elementary School, according to the town, which is inviting residents to help shape the future of the schools.
More information here.

2. Deep River Finance Board Takes Up Fire Truck Payments
When: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m.
Where: Richard H. Smith Town Hall, 174 Main St., Deep River
What to know: The Board of Finance will discuss the first and second payments for a fire truck, the 2026 financing forecast, ARPA projects and the town's finance backlog catch-up project, according to its agenda. Follow-up items include the sale of unused police equipment, St. John's fund use and a cellular contract.
More information here.

3. Early Voting's Final Week In All 3 Towns
When: Monday, Oct. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 1 (final week); Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3
Where: Chester Town Hall, 203 Middlesex Ave., Chester; Essex Town Hall Auditorium, 29 West Ave., Essex; Deep River Library Community Room, 150 Main St., Deep River
What to know: Early voting continues daily through Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, and Thursday, Oct. 29, according to the towns and the state's list of early voting sites.
More information here.

4. Chester Selectmen Meet Tuesday
When: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6 p.m. (also on Teams)
Where: Community Room, Chester Town Hall, 203 Middlesex Ave., Chester
What to know: The Board of Selectmen will take up appointments to boards and commissions and tax refunds, hear selectmen's reports and go into executive session for "Personnel Matters Discussion – Guest John Chillock, BOF Chair," according to its agenda.
More information here.

5. Cedar Lake Watershed Commission And Retirement Board Meet
When: Monday, Oct. 26; Retirement Board 5 p.m., Cedar Lake Watershed Commission 7 p.m.
Where: Chester Town Hall, 203 Middlesex Ave., Chester
What to know: Chester's Retirement Board and the Cedar Lake Watershed Commission both meet Monday.
More information here.