🌱Future Chester Affordable Housing Project? + 1st Friday Celebration!

Hello, friends. It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily — here to tell you everything you need to know about what's happening in our community. Including updates on:

• First Friday is going to be frosty Friday!
• Affordable housing coming to Chester?
• Stay warm, adopt a furry friend!

But first, today's weather:

Sunny, breezy and colder. High: 26 Low: -5.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Essex-Chester-Deep River who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

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

1. It's that time again! Time for the February First Friday celebration in downtown Chester. Tonight's event is going to be a chilly one, but you’ll find all of the shops and restaurants to be cozy and welcoming! And it's a perfect time to pick up some great Valentine's gifts! Hope to see you there! (Visit Chester CT via Facebook)
2. Will a 40-unit affordable housing development at the site of the St. Joseph’s Church parish center on 3.3 acres, across the street from the church, at 46 Middlesex Turnpike, come to fruition? Time will tell. Connecticut developers Honeycomb and Vestra are reportedly currently under contract to purchase the land. If all goes as planned, the project would be financed by state housing and loans. According to the CT Examiner, "Lewis Brown, principal of Honeycomb Real Estate Partners, [explained to Chester residents at a recent meeting that] the town will have little power to stop [the project], as the developers will apply under the state affordable housing statute 8-30g, which allows affordable housing developments to bypass zoning regulations unless there are concerns about public health and safety." Some Chester residents have concerns about the density of the project, as well as its impact on flooding in the area, traffic and additional noise created by the residents of the units. Other residents who say it is needed, welcome the idea to increase affordable housing in the area. The project has not been approved for financing as of yet, which means no application has been submitted to the town at this time. Stay tuned for more updates. (CT Examiner)
3. Looking to add a new member to your family? Look no further than these Essex-Chester-Deep River animal shelters for a pet available for adoption. Shelters in and around Essex-Chester-Deep River have dogs, cats and other animals ready and waiting to be adopted. animals — some right here in the Essex-Chester-Deep River area — are still waiting for their forever homes. Here at Patch, with a little help from our friends at Petfinder, we've amassed this week’s list of pets available for adoption near you. Whether you’re looking for cuddles or companionship, one of these animals could be the perfect fit for your family. If you're a cat person, meet Stella, a Domestic Short Hair up for adoption. Or if dogs are more your thing, there are several great dogs available, too. (Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Open Lego Play (Gr. K-6) (4:00 PM)
• Valentine's Open Studio + Card Making (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Chester CT Historical Society: "Chester women's sports teams from our archives. Interesting fashions too!" (Chester CT Historical Society via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "February: Let's get into it! Check out this week's newsletter to read about our two focus areas coming up! - https://mailchi.mp/ttysb/gt7pycu4ed-10438133" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Essex Fire Engine Co. #1: "Please vote for Essex Fire Engine Co. #1 through Essex Savings Bank’s annual Community Investment Program. Voting takes place between February 1 - 28." (Essex Fire Engine Co. #1 via Facebook)
• Deep River Public Library: "Pop in to grab a book to celebrate Black History Month!" (Deep River Public Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "February is I Love Essex Month on our Facebook feed. Share your love-liest photos of Essex, Centerbrook and Ivoryton to staff.essexlib@gmail.com and we'll post them on our Facebook page and give you credit." (Essex Library via Facebook)

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Events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (February 7)
• Your CBD Store | SUNMED - Clinton! TOPICAL RELIEF TUESDAY! (February 7)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com