Community Corner

🌱Chester Considering Change After 200 Years + Pet Shelter Donations

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Essex-Chester-Deep River.

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Hi all. I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh copy of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily. Let's get this day started off right with a quick review of the most important things happening in town these days, including updates on:

  • After 200 years will Chester change its municipal government?
  • Donate to help animal shelters!
  • Jobs still need to be filled!

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy, rain, mainly early. High: 57 Low: 44.

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Here are the top three stories in Essex-Chester-Deep River today:

  1. Volunteers needed in Chester! According to the CT Examiner, "Local officials have begun researching alternatives to the town's nearly 200-year-old framework for municipal governance in response to a lack of volunteers needed to staff leadership posts, board and commissions. The Board of Selectmen charged a seven-member Governance Study Committee with investigating solutions and presenting their findings to the board. Jon Joslow, co-chair of the new committee, told CT Examiner that Chester had numerous vacancies on boards and committees stemming from a drop in community engagement and that the shortfalls were reducing the ability of the town to operate efficiently. Joslow said that officials were still comfortable with the way the town currently operates under state statute but that it may be time for a change. "When you have incumbents and you have entrenchment, it's hard to take a step back and say, 'if we were creating Chester today, what kind of governance structure would we have?'" Joslow said. Joslow added that two of the three current selectmen may not seek reelection, accelerating the need to consider other options before the next election in November 2023. At its Nov. 16 meeting, the new committee created three subcommittees to tackle assigned tasks – researching alternative governance structures, identifying Chester's key management issues and interviewing other municipalities that changed their governments." (CTExaminer)
  2. The animals need help too! According to a recent Town of Essex Facebook post,"The Connecticut State Police Troop F Community Trust Liaisons, Essex Resident Trooper's Office, Tri-Town Animal Control Officers, along with the support of the Essex Park & Rec Department and the Valley Regional HS Baseball Team, are hosting a pet food and cat litter drive at the Essex Town Hall Auditorium, 29 West Avenue, on Saturday, December 10, from 10am to 12pm, to help shelter pets this PAW-LIDAY season. Santa will be on site for pet photos! Animal shelters are in desperate need of kitten food and cat food (any brand), cat litter and Purina dog food (please, no Ole Roy or Beneful). All pet food donations must be new and unopened." Please donate if you can! Hope to see you there! (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)
  3. Businesses across the Essex-Chester-Deep River area are searching to fill openings on their staff and we've rounded up some of the best local job openings added within the past week. Looking for full-time or part-time work? Here's our weekly roundup of recently posted jobs in the Essex-Chester-Deep River region, as powered by ZipRecruiter, to help in your job hunt. Click on any job title for more information, or to apply. (Patch)

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Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

  • Little Clay (10:30 AM)
  • Writer's Circle @ The Nest! HS - 20 somethings (5:30 PM)
  • RiverFire Glass & Florence Griswold Museum present Make 3 Glass Fairy House Ornaments (6:00 PM)
  • Shell & Bee Studio: Alcohol Ink Bottles (6:00 PM)
  • Holiday Wreath Making with Indigo Blooms! (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Chester CT Historical Society: "Two photos from 1952 of the Jennings Factory. One view from Spring Street (looking across the top of the factory at the back of the library and the house high up on Pelton Hill Rd and some West Main Street houses). " (Chester CT Historical Society via Facebook)
  • Deep River Public Library: "Our Open House is coming up!" (Deep River Public Library via Facebook)
  • Essex Library: "It's never too early for Christmas books! Get your little ones excited or the season with our extensive collection of festive picture books." (Essex Library via Facebook)
  • Essex Library: "Come to the Essex Library to explore the world of Nocturnal Animals with Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center! December 28 at 4:30 PM meet a live owl and learn how incredible their nighttime senses are! The program is for children in grades PreK-6." (Essex Library via Facebook)
  • Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Check out what's coming up for the River Valley Dance Project and Shell & Bee Winter offerings! Don't forget, Shell & Bee has a Winter Break Program lined up with enjoyable activities for kiddos aged 4-12!" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you around.

— Karena Garrity

About me: I am a native of Connecticut, who currently resides in the Tri-Town community of Chester, Deep River and Essex. I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my small town community and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com

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