January

The Region 4 school system announced a drop in standardized test scores for 2021, caused in large part to the educational disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A pelican rescued in 2021 from Middle Cove in Essex became the wildlife ambassador for Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter, Florida.

In response to the spread of the Delta variant and emergent Omicron variant of COVID-19, the Essex Board of Selectmen and Health Director advised all residents to wear a mask or face covering, regardless of vaccination status.

The Chester Board of Selectmen (BOS) accepted the resignation of First Selectman Lauren Gister. Charlene Janecek was appointed First Selectman until the end of Gister’s term on Nov. 21, 2023.

The Regional 4 School District held its first budget workshop for the 2022-’23 school year. Administrators reported an increase of $8,703,67, or 5.96 percent, over current-year spending.

The Essex Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) considered an application to convert a former day spa into residential suites.

Essex Ed was scheduled to make his public return to downtown Essex on Jan. 30. A pending snowstorm canceled the parade.

February

The Deep River Historical Society (DRHS) and the Essex Historical Society (EHS) received federal grant funds. DRHS received $10,000 to help with fundraising efforts. EHS received $9,620 to support a new membership and programs coordinator position.

Graphic designers Jan Cummings and Peter Good published the book Cats Can, Homage to Feline Felicity.

The Essex Winter Series received an arts outreach grant from the Community Foundation of Middlesex County. The grant allowed the series to present a three-day artist residency with members of the Resurgam Quartet.

Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek hosted a Zoom presentation on affordable housing.

Members of the newly formed Chester American Recovery Plan Act Committee met for the first time via Zoom to begin the task of devising a plan to spend nearly $1.3 million in funding granted to the town by the ARPA.

The Deep River PZC met in a special session to consider drafting a revised Plan of Conservation and Development. The redraft was required under Connecticut state statutes.

The Chester Community Partnership was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Middlesex County to expand the 211-Chester Program.

The Connecticut River Museum (CRM) announced that it had taken ownership of the wildlife cruise vessel RiverQuest.

The Town of Essex received a $595,611 grant for the River Road Sidewalk Project. The sidewalk would connect Heritage Cove with North Main Street and Essex Village.

Book Publisher Globe Pequot Press announced its intent to move from its Guilford office to South Main Street in Essex, returning the business to its original 1960s presence.

March

The Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG), representing Chester, Deep River, and Essex, continued development of affordable housing plans for the region, analyzing economic and financial trends affecting population and demographic shifts, and driving new plans for the future.

The Deep River BOS approved the authorization of a solar lease contract with Verogy to construct a panel array at the unfilled landfill between the Transfer Station and Town Garage.

The towns made updates to mask policies and meeting conduct in public buildings for employees and residents. They also sought to solidify hybrid town meetings with updates in technology for video and audio to benefit for tri-town residents who may not be able to attend meetings in person.

The Chester Board of Education (BOE) approved a proposed $8.1 million budget for the 2021-’22 fiscal year, a 5.66-percent increase from the previous year’s budget. It included salary increases, the biggest driver for the overall budget increase.

The Deep River BOE approved a proposed $5.6 million budget, a two-percent increase from the previous year. Increases included those for teacher salaries, supplies, and technology. Cuts were made in the categories of the Health Insurance Reserve Fund and employee benefits.

April

The Musical Productions group at Valley Regional High School (VRHS) held a production of the Little Mermaid from April 8 to 10. The show was directed by Ingrid White.

Essex set a date for public meeting on April 14 for the fiscal year 2022-’23 town budget, which was at $26 million, a 1.52 percent increase from the previous year. The budget called for increases in education, general government, and health and human services. Emergency Management Services saw the same level of funding from the previous year, while the Police Department and Animal Control saw increases.

Deep River set a completion date for the construction of the Verogy-led solar array project at the unfilled landfill. The 725-kilowatt system could offset the power used by the five major municipal energy users in town, including the library and Deep River Elementary School. Verogy agreed to pay the town a fixed lease price of $43,001 a year for the next two decades.

Connecticut Water continued work on the replacement of the 60-year-old water main pipe running through Main Street in the villages of Centerbrook and Ivoryton in Essex. Connecticut Water anticipated a cost of $2.4 million for the project, replacing 1.2 miles of pipeline in the process. Traffic flow and public notices were reconfigured and announced, respectively, to ensure the efficiency and safety of the project.

The Chester Land Trust hosted the second annual Chester Clean Up volunteer event on April 23 to remove litter and help preserve the natural environment at its ecological assets.

The Essex Police acquired body-worn cameras for its officers, a new tool in compliance with state law. The technological components of cameras were to provide better communication between town officers and with state officials while offering greater public knowledge and accountability for officers.

The Chester Board of Finance (BOF) approved the town’s proposed $15 million budget for fiscal year 2022-’23, a 3.15 percent increase from the previous year. Several commissions, such as Inland Wetlands and Parks and Recreation, saw increases, as well as the Public Library, Public Works, and general maintenance. Several budgetary moves were made in commitment to keeping the mill rate the same.

May

Tri-Town Youth Services drafted a proposal to provide behavioral health service for children and teenagers in the Lower River Valley over the next two years as part of all three town’s fiscal year 2022-’23 budgets.

The Region 4 School District passed its $21 million budget for all its schools during fiscal year 2022-’23. The budget was a 2.78 percent increase for all five of its schools from the previous year.

Art students at VRHS were to complete a sculpture titled Nightwatch, a visual story of the British raid on Essex during the War of 1812. Eleven students were part of the project, which hangs in the staircase connecting classrooms in the history department.

The Chester BOS approved its fiscal year 2022-’23 $15 million budget for a public meeting. The BOS and BOF were able to maintain the mill rate of 29.5 for the next year with no changes in taxes.

The Chester Fair Board of Directors announced its mission to reduce waste accumulation at the Chester Fairgrounds for its year event to a zero-waste goal by 2025. Fundraising for the effort was set for a goal of raising $5,000 with a grant matched by SustainableCT.

Essex officially adopted its $26 million fiscal year 2022-’23 budget at a town meeting on May 9. Chester officially adopted its $15 million budget at a town meeting on May 24.

The Chester Sustainability Committee, in collaboration with the Economic Development Commission, released a survey to garner public opinion on possible new infrastructure developments and funding for pedestrian and cyclists in the Lower River Valley region. A return to normalcy was allowed for the graduation of the VRHS Class of 2022, with in-person spectators allowed, as well as mask and social-distancing rules being relaxed.

The Essex PZC deliberated on local regulations concerning the potential opening of cannabis dispensaries. Discussions were held during a nearly year-long moratorium on dispensary applications for both medical and recreational cannabis products.

June

The Essex Land Trust announced a walking tour of the Millrace Preserve for the 40th anniversary of the devastating flooding that occurred between June 4 to 7 in 1982 in the Lower River Valley. The Chester Historical Society announced a cracker-barrel conversation for town residents to remember the event to be held on June 5.

The town sign in Deep River along Route 154 was vandalized with a racist message directed towards ethnic minorities on June 1. Town and state officials representing the Lower River Valley strongly denounced the act and announced commitments to educate residents on hate speech and begin a healing process for hurt citizens.

The Chester Sunday Market and Deep River Farmer’s Market announced their returns to the towns and the sale of locally-grown and produced food and drink.

The Nest Coffee House in Deep River began selling Doggie Barks, which are dog treats that were baked by the young, neurodiverse staff at the Nest. A Little Compassion (ALC), the non-profit who runs the Nest Coffee House program, said the baked pet treats were a part of its mission in offering young people with mental and intellectual obstacles opportunities in employment and education.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation was engaged in the process of relabeling exit sign numbers in towns across the state, including Essex. Alternations were made in accordance to new standards outlined by the Federal Highway Administration, providing several transportation and public safety benefits for motorists.

John Winthrop Middle School and Deep River Elementary School announced new principals, Melissa Morgan-Hostetler and Joshua Torchia, respectively.

The Essex PZC was divided in deliberations over local cannabis dispensary regulations, considering their permission to sell medical and/or recreational products, the zoning laws that would be considered, and its cultivation by residents.

The Chester BOS was ambivalent about several proposals by the town ARPA Committee at a meeting on June 14, considering the financial aspects of the plans, including the tackling of the invasion of Japanese knotweed at its preserves and a study on the town’s road infrastructure.

The Essex BOF unanimously approved a motion to let voters decide on an APRA-funded grant of $30,000 for the Veterans Memorial Hall at a meeting on July 6. The Memorial Hall suffered financially during the coronavirus pandemic.

July

The Chester Historical Society announced its roll-out of plans for the Delaney Series, consisting of programs in honor of founders and patrons Barbara and Edmund Delaney. The series kicked off with a screening of a mini-documentary about former resident Constance Baker Motley, the first Black woman to be a federal judge in the United States.

Protesters gathered outside Deep River Town Hall on July 1 to voice their opposition to previous racially tinged events in town, including the defacement of the town sign and an assault against an 11-year-old boy. First Selectman Angus MacDonald once again denounced the incidents, calling for unity and understanding between all town residents.

The DRHS opened a free exhibit on the role of Deep River residents and establishments in World War II, including all 416 Deep River High School Class of 1943 graduates that were enlisted in the United States military.

Three young adults part of ALC were awarded the Alexandra Dilger Award for achievements in academics and athletics.

August

The Deep River BOS sought to add several new easily identifiable police cars to its fleet to replace cars that are receiving frequent repairs at a meeting on July 26. The Board also considered the financial feasibility of installing electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations at four possible town locations.

Lower River Valley town officials received word on July 29 that the State Bond Commission has approved more than $300,000 to upgrade four town playgrounds at Deep River Elementary School and Devitt Field. On the same day, the Commission granted funding aid for the construction of an emergency radio tower and other important emergency upgrades.

The Essex BOS discussed an APRA request for the digitization of all town land use files at a meeting on Aug. 3, providing a more accessible means of maintaining records for officials and residents. The project was to be lead by Scan Optics.

The Chester Public Library brought its book sale back to the Chester Fair and was in need of volunteers and book donations.

Ivoryton and Essex libraries joined to hold the End of the Summer Reading Field Day event for young bookworms, with prizes and games for children and parents.

In an effort to prevent forest fires, the Essex Fire Marshal ordered a ban on nearly all open burnings in town, due to dry weather conditions and extreme fire danger.

The EHS began work on a restoration project to clean up the ancient section of the River View Cemetery, a part of the burial grounds that bears historical significance for the town and its current residents.

September

The Deep River Historical Society announced its second Orphan and Discontinued Car Show at the Stone House on Saturday, Sept. 17 as part of the 75th Deep River Day celebrations. A broad collection and presentation of orphaned automobiles dating back to the early 20th century were on display.

St. John’s Episcopal Church in Essex received its copy of a volume of the illuminated Saint John’s Bible. The volume of the grand visual reworking of the New Testament was given the congregation for service and study purposes.

The Deep River Historical Society announced a book talk for More Deep River Stories by Frank Hanley Santoro to be held on Sept. 22. The book contains stories about immigrant experiences and organizations in town, and several town residents.

The Deep River BOS approved the implementation of a food scraps program for town residents at a meeting on Sept. 13. A presentation at the meeting was given by representatives from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) on the aspects of the program.

The Essex Board of Trade began hosting the Scarecrow Lamppost Presentation competition as part of the FestiFALL celebrations on Oct. 8. The Ivoryton Witches were to dance at the Village Pumpkin Festival as part of the FestiFALL.

A six-part APRA-funded proposal from the Deep River Public Library was presented to the BOS at a meeting on Sept. 27, asking for upgrades to library operations and infrastructure.

October

Tri-Town Youth Services began hosting meetings for its Suicide Prevention Task Force in an effort to addresses issues such as suicidal ideation, anxiety, and depression among residents and regional teenagers.

The Municipal Ethics Commission of Deep River began holding education sessions for town residents on the mission and function of the Commission as a part of town government.

The Essex BOS approved three new expenditures at a town meeting on Oct. 5, including two technological upgrades related to town operations and information access. The expenditures totaled $85,000 in ARPA spending.

The Deep River Republican Town Committee held a Winter Clothing Drive on Oct. 29 for families in the tri-town region in need of clothing for the low-temperature time of the year.

Seniors at VRHS painted their own parking spots on Oct. 12 at an event organized by Valley Safe Grad, illustrating their legacy at school.

Deep River Congregational Church Reverend Timothy Haut was recognized with a Beacon Award at a Oct. 11 gala event.

November

School buses for Region 4 Public School received a safety upgrade. Stop sign cameras were installed on all 15 buses in an effort to catch drivers who failed to stop for buses with their stop signs extended.

The Chester Land Trust received $25,000 in APRA funding at a town meeting. Funds were to be used to support maintenance capabilities at its preserved properties.

Deep River and Essex were among 24 towns recognized for their efforts in sustainability by Sustainable CT, which is a statewide, voluntary certification program that supports sustainability best practices in Connecticut municipalities.

Officials in Deep River were on the lookout for a holiday tree to brighten up Main Street in advance of its annual Vehicle Light Parade and Holiday Stroll.

Faculty at Centerbrook’s Community Music School prepared for a faculty concert on Nov. 20 at the Centerbrook Meeting House.

Essex PZC unanimously approved a text amendment at its Nov. 1 meeting to allow for the cultivation and sale of cannabis.

The Essex Elementary School Foundation approved over $50,000 for enrichment programs at Essex Elementary School.

Fundraising efforts to help fund the expansion of Essex Veterans Memorial Hall had reached more than $60,000. The goal was $100,000.

Old Saybrook Police arrested a man involved in a Dec. 6, 2021 ATM theft in Centerbrook.

State Senator Norm Needleman won re-election to the 33rd State Senate District.

December

The 13th annual Ivoryton Illuminations returned to the village on Dec. 3 with 500,000 lights configured at town buildings and businesses by the Ivoryton Village Alliance.

American Legion Post 61 announced its annual oratorical contest for students in grades 9 through 12.

The Essex Winter Series geared up for a new season. The series was set to begin on Dec. 18 with a rescheduled performance by the Brentano String Quartet.

ALC held its first Lattes with Law Enforcement sit-down discussion at the organization’s Nest Coffee House on Nov. 16. The event was an informal talk between the town’s police department and the Nest’s neurodiverse workers.

The Chester Meeting House hosted the Cantica Nativitatis music event on Dec. 16, featuring Christmas music from across the 1st millennium, with Gregorian chants and Waes Hael singing.

The Essex Foundation awarded a $15,000 grant to the Ivoryton Playhouse to help fund the design and installation of new steps, handrails, and landing at the theater’s front entrance.

The Essex Winter Series was announced as a recipient of a Supporting Arts Grant by the Connecticut Office of the Arts.

The Town of Deep River hosted an education session on sustainable recycling practices for residents on Dec. 6 as part of the buildup to the food scraps program. Representatives from DEEP presented at the session, which was sponsored by the sustainability committees of Deep River, Chester and Essex.

State Senator Norm Needleman was reappointed as the Senate Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee.

The Essex PZC continued work on establishing a set of rules intended to regulate short-term rentals, commonly known as Airbnbs. Land Use Official Carey Duques identified 19 properties being used as short-term rentals in Centerbrook, Ivoryton, and Essex.