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12/26/2018 06:00 AMFrom parking proposals to a departing principal, Deep River had a few big stories against an otherwise quiet year. Here are the highlights of 2018.
January
The winter weather hit early this season and while students may have been happy to get a few extra days off of school, towns were keeping a close watch on the weather, with the goal of keeping roads safe without blowing snow removal budgets.
The Deep River Land Trust sought funding to acquire three parcels of land along Essex Street that overlook Pratt Cove. It gathered support from town boards and commissions in an effort to win state funding.
February
Deep River’s Peter Terenzi was appointed Old Saybrook’s new permanent fire marshal.
The Deep River Fire Department Winthrop Station got an exhaust upgrade, with updates to its diesel exhaust filtration system.
The Valley Mock Trial team of Sophie Spaner, Maeve Collins, Gabby Pitruzzello, Jenna LoMonaco, Erin LoMonaco, Celia Robins, and Maggie Dipierdomenico competed in the Elite 8 round of the State Mock Trial competition.
March
Little Free Library came to Plattwood Park. The nonprofit, "inspired by a love of reading, builds community and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world." Kim Olson, a Deep River resident, was introduced to the organization by her daughter Shelby. She suggested to the Parks & Recreation Commission that a Little Free Library be put in at the gatehouse at Plattwood Park. After getting the go-ahead, Kim recruited her son Thomas and husband Jim to help. Together the Olsons picked a library from Little Free Library's website and assembled it. It now sits at the gatehouse at Plattwood Park.
On March 8, a nor'easter dumped even more snow, adding to already exhausted snow removal costs and causing the tri-towns to dip into their rainy day funds as well as add extra days on the school schedules, bringing kids into the classrooms through mid June.
Chester resident Christine Palm announced her campaign for the 36th District, with a campaign slogan of "Who Leads Matters."
Inspired by national events, Valley students gathered on Main Street in Old Saybrook to show solidarity as hundreds assembled for the March for Our Lives. John Winthrop Middle School 8th graders Emi Bisson, Abby Amara, and Lindsey and Lauren Valentino led the march.
Following the shootings in Parkland, Florida, local moms brought the gun violence talk to the Valley and gathered to write cards to the survivors and brainstormed about how they could make a difference in the future.
Three John Winthrop Middle School Mock Trial teams competed in one of this year's regional competitions at Kingwood-Oxford Middle School.
Valley Regional High School's performance of Cinderella took to the stage on March 9 through 11.
The Rotary clubs of Chester, Deep River, and Essex sponsored their first Four-Way Test Speech Contest at the Deep River Richard H. Smith Town Hall.
April
The Region 4 Supervision District sought a budget of $6,796,170 for 2018-’19, which reflected a $35,051 or 0.52 percent increase in spending over the previous fiscal year.
The Deep River Fire Department participated in the regional food drive for the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries.
The Deep River Housing Authority was pleased with the Kirtland Commons Expansion, and although winter weather and vacation schedules delayed the official ribbon cutting of the new addition to Kirtland Commons, residents who moved in at the beginning of the year said they were enjoying the 18 new energy-efficient apartments and new elevator, along with other updates such as windows and heating. The project was completed eight months behind schedule and came in at $4.7 million, $500,000 over the original budget.
Deep River resident Vicki Harris took the lead in forming a new evening book discussion club at the Deep River Library.
The Deep River/Chester Little League held its opening day celebration at Devitt Field on April 28.
May
The Region 4 Budget, down 1.2 percent, went to referendum May 2. Enrollment changes lead to a decrease for Essex and increases in Chester and Deep River. The Region 4 School District requested a budget of $19,803,194 for the 2018-’19 school year, which represented a $233,725 or 1.16 percent decrease over the current year’s budget. Despite Deep River dissent, the Region 4 Budget won by 2-1 margin. The $19,803,194 Region 4 Budget for the 2018-’19 school year, representing a $233,725 or 1.16 percent decrease from the current year’s budget, passed by an overwhelming majority at referendum on May 2. Though Deep River voters rejected the budget by 132 votes against to 93 for, when including the full tally with Chester and Essex votes, the count was 376 for to 180 against. Under the budget, Chester and Deep River will see budget increases while Essex’s contribution will decrease. Region 4 Budget referendum totals: Chester, 94 “Yes” and 30 “No”; Deep River, 93 “Yes” and 132 “No”; and Essex, 189 “yes” and 18 “No.”
Deep River began its Memorial Day celebration on Sunday, May 27 at the Winthrop Baptist Church with a parade that marched to the Winthrop Cemetery for ceremonies.
Deep River dedicated the Richard H. Smith Field to Richard Smith, aka Smitty. The legacy of the late first selectman will continue to be honored at Plattwood Park Little League baseball field, which was named the Richard H. Smith Field in a formal dedication ceremony held May 23.
Deep River Voted 3-1 in favor of the budget. Deep River’s $16,993,355 town and schools budget for fiscal year 2018-’19 was approved by the approximately 100 residents voting in the annual Town Budget Meeting. The approved budget showed an increase of $195,742 or 1.17 percent over the last year’s budget.
Three Deep River veterans were presented with Quilts of Valor: Ray Hayes, Bob Santaniello, and Ron Garner.
Deep River Elementary held its annual Tip-a-Teacher event at the St. Joseph’s Parish Center in Chester. This year, Tip-a-Teacher was held in support of #LanaStrong and Call To Care Uganda.
Valley Regional High School students participated in the sixth annual Warriors in the Community Day. Each year, approximately 600 Valley students, accompanied by their CORE teachers and other staff members, go to local sites in the Tri-Town and give back to their community.
State Representative Melissa Ziobron (R-34) was the unanimous choice for 33rd District State Senate candidate of more than 40 Republican delegates from 12 towns at a nominating convention at East Haddam Old Town Hall on May 14.
Christine Palm won the unanimous May 16 endorsement of delegates in the four towns comprising the 36th General Assembly District serving Chester, Essex, Deep River, and Haddam.
Essex First Selectman Norm Needleman was nominated on May 21 as the Democratic Party State Senate candidate for the 33rd District.
State Representative Bob Siegrist, III (R-36) received the unanimous endorsement at the 36th District Republican convention held in Chester.
June
A Buddy Bench came to Deep River Elementary School. “The concept of the Buddy Bench is that it is a place for kids [where] if you need a friend on the playground, you go and sit on the Buddy Bench and the rule is, if you see someone sitting on a buddy bench, people need to go over to play with them,” said Community Foundation of Middlesex County President and CEO Cynthia Clegg.
Plans for a new Route 80 Bridge running over Deep River were discussed. The bridge is expected to be replaced, with construction scheduled for spring of 2020, depending on the availability of funding.
Valley Regional High School graduates from the Class of 2018 receive their diplomas.
A Valley Regional High School 62nd reunion was celebrated, with returning students from Chester, Deep River, and Essex.
July
The new streaming service for Deep River Library patrons was rolled out, giving residents the opportunity to take advantage of new digital content at the library with Streaming Video On Demand from Recorded Books.
Valley Railroad Company sought permission from the town for parking that would allow it to directly board passengers. Specifically, it sought an amendment to the existing permit that approved the construction of the company’s original riverboat dock in 1978, which was amended in 2005 to provide for direct boarding of school field trip children from buses, and to allow for improvements to the existing parking area south of the train station for the purpose of directly boarding passengers from their cars onto the riverboat for limited, low-attendance charters. The 36 spaces to the south of the train station, combined with 13 spaces fronting River Street (there are currently 14 marked spots in that lot, which would be reduced to 13 to accommodate a new handicapped space) would allow the company to offer riverboat charters for up to 75 passengers no more than to three times per week.
The annual Deep River Ancient Muster Parade hosted by the Deep River Ancient Muster Committee was held on July 21.
Deep River Public Library held the fourth annual Mad Hatter’s Garden Party. Proceeds benefited the library garden and grounds.
August
The Deep River Conservation & Inland Wetlands Commission approved the Valley Railroad Company’s application for parking and access way improvements to the existing parking/storage area at Deep River Station Depot located at 152 River Street, based on what it found to be an insignificant impact to wetlands. The Valley Railroad Company, however, pulled the Deep River parking proposal from further Planning & Zoning Commission consideration.
School started on Aug. 30, during a heat wave. Temperatures were in the mid-to-high 90s for much of the first week of school and heat indexes in several towns topped out above 100. For John Winthrop Middle School students, the bus ride up the hill to school was much smoother. The driveway was resurfaced and smoothed out and a long stretch of new curbing was added.
September
The Deep River Merchant’s Association, in conjunction with the town’s Parks & Recreation Department, held Family Fun Day, starting with a morning road race and ending with evening fireworks. The official name of the run was changed this year to recognize Deep River’s heritage and history; the run was called the “Fife and Drum Run.”
Deep River Boy Scouts solved problems in Deep River. As his eagle scout project, Ryan Douglas constructed a gatehouse for the Deep River Landing employees, so they would have a respite from the hot sun, rainy afternoons, and inclement weather. Fellow scout Michael Beradis constructed a bench at the landing for those wishing to take a few moments to enjoy the beautiful setting and relax.
Deep River got a new truck in time for winter. The Freightliner commercial truck, complete with an electric sand-and-salt spreader, was purchased to replace the oldest truck in the fleet.
Resident state troopers put out a warning to all that backyards, driveways, garages, sheds, and houses were at risk of being burglarized and to keep everything locked up.
Tri-Town Youth Services received a $125,000 grant in continuation funding from the Drug-Free Communities Support Program to prevent youth substance abuse.
Excessive rain once again wreaked havoc on the region.
October
October marked Valley Regional High School’s final visit from the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. Valley Regional was an IB candidate school awaiting authorization to become an IB world school; final approval came later in the year.
Donna May was recognized for the work she has done at the CDE Pre-school for the past 25 years. A Deep River resident, May said she loves her job and feels blessed to be able to work with the kids for the past 25 years.
Principal William Duffy, who was at John Winthrop for the past six years, announced he took a position in Avon as principal of Thompson Brook School.
November
The Deep River Food Pantry was ready for some food-raising success at the annual Jams for Cans event, which was held at the Deep River Ambulance building.
There was high voter turn-out for the Nov. 6 election. In Deep River, 2,609 or 72.17 percent of the town’s 3,615 eligible voters participated in this midterm election. There were 34 voters using Election Day Registration and 143 voting by absentee ballot. Democrat Christine Palm unseated Republican Bob Siegrist in the race for the 36th Assembly District. Following a recount in the race for the 33rd State Senate District seat, Democrat Norman Needleman remained the winner. Needleman’s opponent, State Representative Melissa Ziobron (R-24), conceded the race on Nov. 20.
The annual Tri-Town Veterans Day Parade and Armistice Day Celebration took place in Deep River.
Educating locals about the environment, the Deep River Land Trust and Bushy Hill Nature Center joined up to bring an environmental educational opportunity to the community at Bushy Hill Nature Center.
Due to insect infestation and drought, there was a higher number of dead and dying trees in Deep River, causing tree removal costs to double for the year.
John Winthrop Middle School Principal William Duffy served his last day in that position on Nov. 20.
December
Deep River’s annual Holiday Stroll added a lighted vehicle parade.
Valley Regional High School became an authorized International Baccalaureate High School, the first public high school in Middlesex County to achieve this prestigious designation, joining the ranks of seven other public high schools in the state.