🌱Get Out For A Hike At The Preserve + Public Hearing Coming Up

Hello all. It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter — here to impart all the most important things happening in town. Today you'll find these stories and more:

• You're invited to a public hearing!
• Attend the Safegrad meeting.
• Get out for a hike!

But first, today's weather:

Snow and rain, 1-3 inches, windy. High: 41 Low: 34.

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

1. There will be a Public Hearing for Regional School District NO.4 on Wednesday, March 29 at 7 p.m. at the John Winthrop Middle School Auditorium. The electors and citizens qualified to vote in town meetings of the Towns of Chester, Deep River and Essex are invited to attend. The purpose of conducting a public hearing on the following recommendation of the District Board of Education: That $9,966,000 be appropriated for the following projects: Stadium Complex - Reconstruction of running track at Valley Regional High School $769,000 Reconstruction of natural grass or conversion to Artificial Turf at the Stadium Complex, Upper Field and Practice Field at Valley Regional High School $4,605,000 Baseball Field - Reconstruction of infield at Valley Regional High School $223,000 Softball Field - Reconstruction of infield at Valley Regional High School $291,000 Tennis Courts - Construction of Post Tension Concrete Courts at Valley Regional High School $881,000 John Winthrop Middle School Soccer Field 1 - Reconstruction of natural grass $566,000 John Winthrop Middle School Soccer Field 3 - Reconstruction of natural grass $461,000 Construction of two (2) new natural grass fields and the development of property $2,020,000 Administrative, Financing and Bond Issuance Costs $150,000 total: $9,966,000 (Town of Deep River)
2. Attend the Class of 2024 SafeGrad Venue discussion via Google Meet on Wednesday, March 22 at 7 p.m. to learn about the available venues in CT. https://meet.google.com/quw-cppd-nvu. Then, the discussion with continue in an in-person meeting at the VRHS library on Wednesday, March 29 at 7 p.m., to answer questions. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us @ valleysafegrad@gmail.com. (Valley Regional High School)
3. Windswept Ridge Hike & Happy Hour will be held on Thursday, March 16, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Windswept Ridge Preserve, 176 Westbrook Road Essex. Sustainable Essex invites you to come enjoy Essex Land Trust’s Windswept Ridge preserve for a moderate 45 minute hike followed by Happy Hour. The property overlooks the Mud River valley farmland once known as “Scotch Plains” so it’s fitting that we go to Scotch Plains Tavern after the hike. Parking is behind Essex Financial Services. Rain date is the following Thursday. Hope to see you there. (Sustainable Essex)

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Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (8:30 AM)

From my notebook:

• Chester CT Historical Society: "This piece of oak was part of the Chester Meeting House floor in 1793. Thanks to the craftsmanship of Art Christianson it has been turned into a sturdy bench, available to you through our upcoming Art & Antiques Auction." (Chester CT Historical Society via Facebook)
• Essex Fire Engine Co. #1: "Happening Thursday, March 16, 7:00 p.m. on Zoom! Free Zoom program with the Essex Fire Department and Essex Fire Marshal: Lithium Ion Battery Safety. Registration required - Registration link: http://ow.ly/Ac2m50N8oAo." (Essex Fire Engine Co. #1 via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Reminder, reminder! Rainbow Alliance meets NEXT Monday, March 20, at 3:30 in the Tri-Town Youth Services Office at 56 High St. in Deep River!" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "A reminder that Essex Library is a pick-up spot for Essex Garden Club's $5,000 Scholarship Application! See information handout for details and other eligibility requirements. Applications can be picked up in our Teen Department!" (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Town of Essex – Government: "Who is required to recycle? Everyone! The Mandatory Recycling Act went into effect in Connecticut on January 1, 1991. It applies to every business, every household, every institution and every government agency. #mandatory#motivated#monday#" (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Need Interior Design Help? (March 14)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (March 14)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with your next update.

— 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