By Marianne Sullivan
Courier Senior Staff Writer
It could be said that 2008 was a year in which all three towns–Chester, Deep River, and Essex–saw construction begin, continue or finish in their downtowns and major streets. In Chester, it was the beginning and completion of the long-awaited sewer project for downtown. In Deep River, it was a major upgrade in the downtown’s streetscape, including new sidewalks, light posts, and landscaping. In Essex, it was sidewalk construction and renovation through Ivoryton in addition to a new roof and heating system at Ivoryton Playhouse.
By year’s end, town officials were preparing for a bleak economy, asking town departments to freeze spending where possible and to consider zero increases in budgets being prepared for the next fiscal year.
January
Essex’s boards of selectmen, education, and finance held a joint meeting with the Essex Elementary School Building Committee, parents, and the superintendent of schools to discuss a proposal to bring the Region 4 School District’s preschool program to the newly expanded elementary school. The program had outgrown the only space available at the Deep River Elementary School.
After six months of planning, it took less than a weekend to execute the complete replacement of the Dock Road bridge in Chester. The small bridge spans a tributary of Chester Creek and provides sole access to two, year-round private residences and two private yacht clubs.
Chester’s Grand List, the compilation of all taxable property in town, showed an increase of 1.75 percent, or approximately $7.4 million. The Grand List net total was $430,744,267.
As part of its annual winter stocking program, the state Department of Environmental Protection stocked Cedar Lake with brown trout. Cedar Lake was one of 15 lakes and ponds the DEP stocked with trout in January.
Acer Gardens, a 16-acre landscape nursery in Deep River, received an $18,267 grant as part of the Connecticut Agricultural Viability Grant program administered by the state Department of Agriculture. The state grant will allow the nursery to add a seventh greenhouse.
A number of artists who exhibited their work at the Brick Gallery in Essex filed complaints with State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, charging that they were owed money and/or the return of their work from Joseph O’Neal, owner of the shuttered gallery.
Faced with space shortages at two of the three elementary schools in the district and questions about future programming space needs, Superintendent of Schools Kim Caron asked for and received approval to begin a comprehensive space utilization study throughout the district.
The Deep River boards of selectmen and finance recommend a senior tax relief program to voters. The local program would provide tax relief for households earning up to $45,000. It also places a cap on the program costs. First Selectman Dick Smith said, “This will help a lot more seniors.”
February
Essex’s Grand List, the compilation of taxable property in town, grew by $14 million when compared to the previous year. The new Grand List totals $1,029,770,436.
Essex Library Director Bridget Quinn-Carey was selected as the new director of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System in upstate New York. She said leaving the Essex library, which had recently undergone an expansion, was “bittersweet.”
Deep River’s Grand List, the compilation of all taxable property in town, grew by $5.8 million when compared with the previous year. The Grand List totaled $512,568,027.
Essex Park & Recreation Commission renewed its intentions to bring charges against a local resident who, the commission charged, had illegally and improperly trimmed trees and shrubbery at the Main Street Park. The resident, a park neighbor, had refused to pay the $5,200 in remediation costs.
Presidential Preference Primary results:
∑ In Chester: Democrats for Obama, Republicans for McCain.
∑ In Deep River: Democrats for Obama, Republicans for McCain.
∑ In Essex: Democrats for Obama, Republicans for McCain.
A federal court judge in Rochester, New York, sentenced Noah Gladding, 27, formerly of Chester, with life in prison. It was Gladding’s second life sentence after pleading guilty to kidnapping and killing his friend Jason Argersinger in 2005.
Hundreds of visitors came to the Connecticut River sites throughout Essex, Deep River, and Chester to view wintering eagles as part of the Connecticut Audubon Society’s 2008 Eagle Festival. Later in the year, in November, the society said it will cancel the 2009 festival because it cannot secure sufficient corporate sponsorships.
In Essex, the long-awaited dredging of the entrance to North Cove got underway, just days before the Eagle Festival. “It’s a little tight. A few people are holding their breath but I think we’ll make it,” said First Selectman Philip Miller.
Hank Stockmal, the principal of Chester Elementary School for 13 years, announced his retirement.
Chester’s annual Winter Carnival featured ice sculptures, a chili cook-off, and a tractor parade, among other events.
A Superior Court judge upheld the 2006 decision of the Old Saybrook Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, which denied a permit to River Sound, LLC, the company that sought to develop 210 homes and an 18-hole golf course on the nearly 1,000 acres of property known as The Preserve. A portion of The Preserve impacts Essex.
State Rep. James F. Spallone was named co-chair of the Municipal Ethics Task Force, studying possible implementation of an ethics code for cities and towns.
Chester hired Steven Redente as a full-time constable, its first in many years. He headed off to 22 weeks of training at the Meriden Police Academy.
The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the state forester met with the Chester Board of Selectmen to seek approval for new gates to control vehicle access to Cockaponset State Forest and its white cedar swamp. Four-wheel drive vehicles and ATVs are causing significant environmental damage and erosion.
Essex applied for $435,000 in state funds under the Small Town Economic Assistant Program (STEAP) to undertake three projects–reconstruction of the town boat launch, improved public access to Middle Cove from Novelty Lane, and a new sidewalk in Ivoryton. Chester applied for $500,000 under the same program to reconstruct 500 feet of the town’s main street, the center of its retail, restaurant and tourist activity.
Marilyn Baumann, Chester’s assistant assessor for almost eight years, resigned after accepting a position as assessor in neighboring Haddam.
March
Faced with a $6.5 million town operating budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year, Essex First Selectman Philip Miller, a Democrat, and Selectman Vincent Pacileo, a Republican, both expressed concerns the increase was too high.
The Region 4 Board of Education, following a completion of a financial audit for the 2006-2007 school year, announced it would return almost $82,000 to the district’s three towns.
Essex’s Park & Recreation Commission succeeded in convincing the Board of Selectmen of the need to hire the town’s first fulltime director of recreation. The new position was added to the 2008-2009 budget, with the expectation that the new director would bring in $15,000 in grants for recreational programs.
The Region 4 Board of Education 2008-2009 budget, which supports operation of John Winthrop Middle School and Valley Regional High School, showed a proposed 4.7 percent increase to $16.4 million.
It happened in Chester–a loud “boom” and an earthquake. First Selectman Thomas Marsh confirmed it. “The U.S. Geological Service reports a magnitude 2.0 earthquake was registered at 11:10 p.m. Monday, March 10, three miles from Chester center.”
Elvis was sighted in Deep River when Valley Regional High School presented its spring production All Shook Up.
The Chester Board of Education requested a $4 million budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. The Deep River Board of Education requested $4.7 million. The Essex Board of Education asked for $6.8 million. In each town the requested budgets went to the boards of finance for review.
WNPR, the state’s public radio station, traveled to Chester to produce a segment of its popular show Where We Live. It set up a temporary production studio at Leif Nilsson’s Spring Street Studio and opened a discussion about life in small towns.
Essex was named one of 19 communities across the state to receive the 2008 Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Award.
The Essex Community Fund, one of the town’s oldest charitable organizations, distributed approximately $58,000 to non-profit groups and organizations serving Essex residents.
April
Ian M. Neviaser, an assistant principal at Guilford High School, was named principal at Valley Regional High School. An Essex resident, Neviaser replaced Donald Gates, who served as interim principal for two years.
Chester Elementary School’s Odyssey of the Mind team took home top honors in the statewide competition and headed for the world finals in Maryland.
Essex received $91,300 under the state’s STEAP program to build and renovate 1,400 feet of sidewalk in Ivoryton.
Based on 9,870 votes from customers, 76 non-profit organizations received a total of $90,600 as part of the Essex Savings Bank Community Investment Program.
Kirtland Commons, the Deep River housing complex for the elderly and disabled, underwent a $400,000 renovation of its 26 units. The work was financed through federal and state Small Cities grants.
The state Department of Transportation began work on the new commuter parking lot at the Essex/Deep River town line.
Chester began its latest property revaluation. This time property owners received “data-mailers” to be reviewed and completed. The new property assessments will become the 2008 Grand List.
Chester town officials opened bids for its downtown sewer project. Bids ranged from a high of $2.5 million to a low of $1.7 million. Town officials hoped to complete the construction and the hook-up with Deep River by the end of this year.
Walter E. Mislick, 92, died. Many in town called him “Mr. Deep River” and First Selectman Dick Smith said, “He was a real gentleman, a wonderful man, and he loved this town.”
Chester First Selectman Thomas Marsh proposed a communitywide discussion of two ideas meant to reduce future education budgets. One includes offering parents of school children a grant “to choose another mode of education” and the second proposes a high school graduation option in three years.
Deep River received a $400,000 STEAP grant and set about giving it Main Street a facelift with new sidewalks, new lighting, landscaping, benches, and more.
The Color Guard of the USS Constitution joined the Sailing Masters of 1812 Fife and Drum Corps this year in a parade that annually marks the burning of the ships in Essex harbor during the War of 1812.
The Essex Land Trust celebrated to opening of the Millrace Preserve, a six-acre historic park located along the Falls River.
The Liberty Bank Foundation donated $1,500 to the Essex Library.
May
The Region 4 Board of Education’s $16.3 million proposed budget for 2008-2009 was defeated at a district-wide referendum. The vote showed 340 in favor but 357 opposed. The budget was defeated in both Chester and Deep River.
Essex Land Trust asked the Board of Selectmen to approve a $150,000 special appropriation to be used toward the purchase of a conservation easement to preserve the Johnson farm on Mares Hill Road.
Essex Republican Selectman Vincent Pacileo became his party’s nominee for state senator from the 33rd district. He opposed longtime incumbent Democrat Eileen Daily.
An Essex town meeting approved the 2008-2009 fiscal year budget, which totaled $19.9 million, including both town operations and school budgets. The Board of Finance set the new tax rate at 17.6 mills.
Republicans and Democrats selected their candidates for state representative. James Spallone, the Democratic incumbent, was nominated for a fifth term. The Republican nominated was Nelson Struck.
On its second try, the Region 4 school budget passed at a districtwide referendum. Defeated the first time, the Region 4 Board of Education reduced the budget request for the next fiscal year by approximately $50,000.
Deep River residents voted to approve a total $14.1 million budget for the next fiscal year by a vote of 250-241. The result was a tax increase of 0.48 mills.
Completing the budget season in the three towns, Chester resident approved its 2008-2009 budget by an almost two-to-one margin at a town meeting.
The Essex Library Association’s Board of Trustees named Richard Conroy as the new director of the Essex Library after a nationwide search.
The Ancient Order of Essex Weeders returned to work taking care of the traffic islands at the intersection of Routes 153 and 154.
June
The Essex Fire Engine Company No. 1 celebrated its 175th anniversary with a parade in which fire departments from across the state joined in to honor Essex.
Chester’s Planning and Zoning Commission invited residents to a townwide conversation about the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development, a plan meant to guide land use and development through the next decade.
Two dozen Deep River residents turned out to a Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing when a local business, Integrated Waste Solutions, sought a special permit to increase the amount of recyclable materials it could accept and process.
Kristina Martineau, a dean of students at Fairfield Warde High School, was appointed associate principal at Valley Regional High School.
Camp Hazen YMCA won approval from the Chester Planning and Zoning Commission to carry out a series of improvements on its property.
Cathy Burgard, head of adult services for the Essex Library, retired after six years of service.
The 14th season of the Essex Farmers’ Market opened, but in a new location. Rather than its earlier spot at the Main Street Park, it relocated to the parking lot behind Griswold Square.
Valley Regional High School graduates 137 members of the Class of 2008.
The Chester Board of Education appointed Michael Barile as principal of Chester Elementary School. He replaced Hank Stockmal, who retired.
July
Essex began its property revaluation process by sending out “data mailers” to an estimated 3,000 residential property owners.
Chester Village West, a senior residential community and the town’s largest taxpayer, completed the first phase of a two-phase renovation, adding new spaces such as a fitness center and refurbishing others, including the dining room and the swimming pool.
The Annual Deep River Ancient Muster and Tattoo, a summertime tradition of marching and music, celebrated its 55th anniversary.
It started as an idea for a picnic, grew into a community-wide event, and then became an effort to recognize longstanding volunteers in the town. The Pillars of Chester was born.
The A.A. Zanardi Paving and Excavating Co. offices on East Liberty Street were destroyed by fire. No one was inside the building at the time of the fire. The business reopened the next day at its Railroad Avenue facility.
The Deep River Congregational Church youth group began designing, sewing, and selling reusable shopping bags made from 100 percent recycled material.
Deep River First Selectman Dick Smith stood in the aisle of the recently opened Walgreens greeting residents and recalling years of efforts to attract a pharmacy to town.
Faced with opposition from landlords and concerns from some members of the Zoning Commission, the Economic Development Commission withdrew its proposal for a retail overlay zone in downtown Essex.
With the students on vacation, Chester Elementary School began some renovation projects–repair to a portion of the roof; maintenance to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system; and a reconfiguration of the entrance driveway and parking area.
Dr. Christopher Goff, Essex’s part-time health director, resigned after more than 25 years and the town began its search for a replacement.
Essex named its first full-time park and recreation director, Brian Wilson.
August
Quinnipiack, a two-masted, gaff-rigged centerboard schooner, pulled into the Steamboat Dock in Essex and served as a classroom for a week while young students learned about life at sea in the 19th century.
The 130th annual Chester Fair brought fun, frog-jumping, baking contests and farm animals together again for another classic, small-town country fair.
Through the extraordinary efforts of a small army of volunteers, Steve, an osprey tangled and trapped at the top of a locust tree above the Falls River in Essex, was rescued.
After less than two years of fundraising, members of the Essex Elementary School PTO “Play is Good” campaign stood behind the school watching construction crews began work on building a new playground.
The Community Music School celebrated its 25th anniversary.
The Copper Beech Inn received approval from the Essex Zoning Board of Appeals to construct a new carriage house on its Main Street property in Ivoryton. It will add eight more guest rooms to the inn’s present 13 rooms.
The CT Crankin’ Yanks, a club of Model T Ford owners, swung into Essex and onto the lawn of the Pratt House for a summer lunch. The club was joined by other enthusiasts, about 75 Model T’s in all.
Chester town officials and the Department of Transportation began talking about two planned state projects–the replacement of the bridge on Route 154, expected to begin sometime this year, and the replacement of the bridge on Main Street downtown, not expected to begin anytime this year.
Construction on Chester’s long-awaited and much-debated sewer project began near the intersection of Maple and Main streets. The town hopes to have the construction work complete by the end of the year.
The Deep River Fire Department re-opened its Citizens Fire Academy. For 12 weeks, interested persons learned what volunteer firefighters do, how they train and gained hands-on experience.
September
The Copper Beech Inn announced a new executive chef, Tyler Anderson, who had previously been executive chef at the four-star historic Equinox in Manchester, Vermont.
The Chester Hose Company, Police Department, and resident state trooper, with help from a private donor and a state grant, purchased and equipped a specially designed all-terrain vehicle for emergency use.
Foot by foot, new sidewalks were installed along Main Street in Deep River.
The Chester Planning and Zoning Commission asked interested residents to become involved in two committees–one to study the development of a new Village District Zone and the second to examine guideline for development of Route 154.
In less than 15 minutes, an Essex special town meeting with approximately 100 residents filling every available seat unanimously approved a special appropriation of $150,000 to be applied to the purchase of a conservation easement for Murwin Johnson’s farm.
It was a long time in the planning stages, but worth it, Chester Fire Chief Charles Greeney said. The department designed and the town purchased a new combined fire engine/rescue truck.
In a second round of funding, the Essex Savings Bank donated $120,800 to 25 non-profit organizations throughout its service area. The funds are a part of the bank’s Community Investment Program.
The Deep River Library got a new roof, for the first time in First Selectman Dick Smith’s memory. The total cost was $55,100.
October
Town boards and The Trust for Public Land, a private, non-profit land conservation organization, said they were working together in an effort to preserve 4.6 acres of open space on the Connecticut River.
The Deep River Congregational Church marked its 175th year with a torchlight parade from Centerbrook to its own front doors in Deep River.
Essex unveiled its free, two-kilowatt photovoltaic system, which it installed on the roof of its recycling center.
Residents of the Colonial Drive and Hemlock Drive neighborhood in Deep River crowded into a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting to ask the commission to reconsider a plan to connect Colonial Drive to Kelsey Hill Road.
Through the state’s Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP), the Ivoryton Playhouse received a $75,000 grant to replace its roof and its heating system.
Rain postponed the 8th Annual Ivoryton Village Pumpkin Festival, but just for a day. On Oct. 26 the Ivoryton Green was a blanket of orange, covered east to west and north to south with carved pumpkins.
Registrars of voters in Chester, Deep River, and Essex were kept busy throughout the month as residents came in to register to vote or request absentee ballots for the Nov. 4 presidential election.
Approximately 100 community members, parents and students attended a special program at Valley Regional High School meant to educate the community at large about alcohol and drug abuse.
November
The Chester Board of Selectmen and two of the town’s elected representatives to the Region 4 Board of Education discussed budgets present and future and First Selectman Thomas Marsh and Selectman Bruce Watrous both said they hoped to see no increase in the operating budget for the two regional schools.
Recognizing the difficulty of finding affordable housing in a community where property values continue to rise, the Essex Board of Selectmen voted to join with the Planning Commission to seek a state grant to study the issue.
Again this year Essex succeeded in winning a $60,000 highway safety grant to allow for greater enforcement of driving under the influence laws.
In Chester, Deep River, and Essex, Barack Obama was the winning presidential candidate.
Four thousand American flags surrounded the Ivoryton Congregational Church. Each flag represented a military service member who had died in Iraq or Afghanistan.
The Connecticut Audubon Society announced cancellation of the 2009 Eagle Festival in Essex. “We still have eagles,” First Selectman Philip Miller said, encouraging visitors to come to Essex for eagles, shopping, and special events.
The Essex Board of Finance dedicated its annual report to Andrew Morris, former Board of Finance member, and Elizabeth Schellens, retiring registrar of voters.
Following a string of residential burglaries and car break-ins, resident state troopers from Chester, Deep River, and Essex advised homeowners to lock their doors and their vehicles.
The supporters of the Essex Park & Recreation Commission proposal to develop an outdoor basketball court at the former commuter parking lot at Route 154 and West Avenue came out to a Board of Selectmen meeting to plead their case.
The Essex Land Conservation Trust celebrated its 40th anniversary.
The district’s boards of education reached a three-year contract agreement with its paraprofessional employees and instructional assistants, granting a 2.5 percent wage increase in the first year and a 2.75 percent increase in each of the following two years.
In Deep River the Visiting Nurses were able to feed 250 residents at Thanksgiving because of the food donated during the “stuff the cruiser” drive sponsored by the town’s constables.
December
All of the boards of education within the Region 4 school district voted to form a study committee to consider full regionalization of the district. At present, some administrative and instructional services are shared but each of the three towns maintains its own elementary school, school board, and budget. The Region 4 boards of education also voted to form a Full Day Kindergarten Study Committee. Superintendent of Schools Kim Caron said he hoped the district could offer some form of extended day kindergarten during the next school year.
The Essex Board of Selectmen provided the Park & Recreation Commission with its endorsement to proceed with the planning for development of an outdoor basketball court at the former commuter lot on Route 154. The endorsement came with several concerns and caveats attached.
The Essex Library Association, faced with sharply declining values within its invested endowment, announced a reduction in library hours, staff hours, and all discretionary spending. The across-the-board cuts, the association hopes, will save approximately $90,000 through the next six months.
Katelyn Renzoni, a junior at Valley Regional High School, was honored by the Deep River Fire Department. Her lifesaving skills this past summer helped save the life of a four-year-old girl.
The Chester Board of Selectmen named Madaline Meyer, former assistant tax collector in Deep River, as the new tax collector. She will replace Joyce Aley, who is retiring.