🌱Chester Ferry Season Has Begun + Referendum Scheduled For May 7

Welcome back, Essex-Chester-Deep River! I'm here in your inbox this morning to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on around town, including news on:

• The Chester Ferry season has begun!
• The referendum is May 7.
• New homes are on the market.

But first, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 54 Low: 45.

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

1. How do you know it is officially spring in the tri-towns? The Chester Ferry is in full swing! This past weekend was the opening weekend for the historic ferry. In case you don't know, according to WTNH.com, "the schedule is weekdays 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. and weekends from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ferry will be running through November 30th. For additional information on the ferries, including fares, schedules, and history, please visit CT.gov/DOT/CTferries." (WTNH.com)
2. The auditorium at John Winthrop Middle School was full Wednesday night with residents of the Chester, Deep River, Essex tri-town area who gathered to either show their support for or their opposition to the revamp of athletic fields at John Winthrop and Valley Regional High School. Following several hours of discussion from residents, both young and old, the Region 4 Board of Education voted 7 to 1 o approve the project with a price tag of $9.6 million, which will be bonded. According to CT Examiner, "the district has scheduled a referendum on the project for May 7." (CT Examiner)
   
3. When you’re looking for some fresh digs, hunting down every new listing in the area can be a wearisome task. That’s why we’ve gone ahead and done the prepwork for you. Here’s a sampling of the latest batch of new homes to hit the housing market in and near Essex-Chester-Deep River — such as a home in the Clinton area for $150,000, and another in the Clinton area with 4 beds and 3 baths for $625,000. Looking for more photos and details? Just click on any address to learn more. Enjoy! (Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Shell & Bee Studio: Parent & Me: Art Mornings (9:30 AM)
• The Friends' Annual Spring Booksale - Essex Library Association (10:00 AM)
• Predators in Your Backyard (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Essex Fire Engine Co. #1: "Prevent basement fires. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from the furnace, water heater, and other heat generating equipment. " (Essex Fire Engine Co. #1 via Facebook)
• Essex Fire Engine Co. #1: "Household Hazardous Waste 2023 Brochure All HHW Collections 9:00 am – 1:00 pm and Paper Shredding Events 9:00 am - 12:00 pm The first HHW event is Saturday, April 22 in Clinton" (Essex Fire Engine Co. #1 via Facebook)
• Essex Steam Train & Riverboat: "They call me Mellow Yellow. Say hello to one of our two newest editions to the fleet, rolling into the Essex yard after its first test run." (Essex Steam Train & Riverboat via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Niantic Toastmasters Open House & 30th Anniversary Celebration! (April 3)
• Your CBD Store | SUNMED - Clinton! TRIM TUESDAY! (April 4)
• Add your event

That's it for today! I'll see you around.

— Karena Garrity

About me: Journalism is in my veins. I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com