🌱Budget Homes Hot Tri-Town Topic + Student Loan Program Proposed

Happy Thursday, people of Essex-Chester-Deep River! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in Essex-Chester-Deep River today.

First, today's weather:

From winter yesterday, back to spring today. The forecast is calling for milder temperatures with periods of sun. High: 49 Low: 26.

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

1. Affordable housing is a hot topic in the tri-towns. A meeting on the subject was already held in Deep River, another meeting is scheduled for today via Zoom for Chester and Essex's meeting is scheduled for March 17. Affordable housing plans, for each of the tri-towns, are being overseen by RiverCOG’s Regional Housing Plan. (Zip06.com)
2. Addressing the student loan crisis in Connecticut, Christine Palm (D – Chester, Deep River, Essex, Haddam) is among the state lawmakers who are making a proposal for a new student debt reimbursement program. There are several criteria that need to be met for the proposed program, living in Connecticut after graduation is just one of them. (Eyewitness News 3)
3. The Essex-Chester-Deep River area real estate roundup shows the market is still strong. (Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch)
4. Public-access TV stations are feeling the pinch of "cord cutters" who are turning away from traditional cable network subscriptions. Connecticut TV stations operators are calling for legislation that would expand fees currently paid by cable customers to include all internet or video streaming services. The co-chairman of the Energy and Technology Committee, state Sen. Norm Needleman, D-Essex, has suggested that lawmakers will likely have to refine their efforts to secure funding for public-access television before moving forward with legislation. (CT Insider)

From our sponsor:

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Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Webinar Watch Event, ADHD, Eating Disorders, and Body Image: What Parents Need to Know (1:00 PM)
• Fairy House Workshop for Kids (4:00 PM)
• Girl Scouts Daisy troop 62041 - Essex Library Association (4:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Chester CT Historical Society: "Between 2001 and 2010, a large group of Chester women enjoyed partying at the Mill - before it was officially a museum. Here's one of the "invitations." (Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Hip, hip hooray! Celebrating 15 local businesses who passed compliance checks! Check out this week's newsletter, written by TTYSB's Melissa Keilty, MSW, the Wellness + Prevention Program Director. (Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Valley Safe Grad is having a virtual raffle with more than 30 prizes! Help support our graduating seniors!" (Facebook)
• Essex Park and Recreation: "Who's ready for the best summer ever? Summer camp registration is open!" (Facebook)

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Events:

• Oddfellows Junior Rep Company Presents: Alice in Wonderland! (March 17)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you soon!

— 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.