🌱Help DR Sustainable CT Committee Celebrate + No Batteries In Trash

Hello, friends! It's Thursday in Essex-Chester-Deep River and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in town. Today you'll read about these stories and more:

• Deep River Sustainable CT Committee celebrates its bronze certification.
• Batteries and electronics do not belong in the recycling cart!
• Energy assistance is available for CT residents.

But first, today's weather:

On-and-off rain and drizzle. High: 48 Low: 45.

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

1. Please join the Deep River Sustainable CT Committee on Sunday, January 22nd at 3 p.m. in the Town Hall Auditorium to celebrate its bronze certification. Watch a free movie and Deep River residents, pick up food scrap bags and trash bags. This is just the first of many opportunities to get your free bags for the pilot program. Hope to see you there! (Town of Deep River via Facebook)
2. According to the Town of Essex – Government Facebook post, "batteries and electronics do not belong in the recycling cart! These can start fires at recycling facilities and in trucks. Bring your batteries and electronics to the Essex Transfer Station. Alkaline and rechargeable batteries can also be recycled at the Town Hall!" (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)
3. A press release issued from the office of Governor Lamont states that, "Governor Ned Lamont today announced a comprehensive statewide strategy funded by federal and state dollars to provide energy assistance to Connecticut residents in the short-term and improve affordability and reliability in the long-term. In the Short-Term, late last month, Governor Lamont announced the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) will allow all participating households that heat with deliverable fuels, such as home heating oil, to receive an additional crisis assistance benefit worth $430 this winter season, above the amount they were already able to receive. Coupled with the existing basic benefit and crisis assistance benefits, the additional benefit means those families can now access up to $2,320 per household to help pay their heating bills.

From my notebook:

• Town of Essex – Government: "Jazzy has been found!! Thank you to our Fire Marshal John Planas and everyone involved in the rescue of Jazzy!" (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "The Essex Winter Series returns with its first 2023 concert on January 22. Tickets on sale now, details at https://essexwinterseries.com/" (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Listen, Steward Outdoor Day School is a place of magic and Faith talks about it all the time because she got to hang out with their kiddos a lot last spring. Just schedule a tour and check it out. See the magic for yourself!" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Need something but don't have it at home? Before you buy, check out our Library of Things for useful household objects such as: -power drill -tool kit -stud finder -projector -games -and more! www.youressexlibrary.org/library-of-things" (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Amplifying our youth programs through mindful creativity. Check out this week's newsletter to see what we have added to our programming and see what some of our youth have been creating! You have GOT to see this! - https://mailchi.mp/t..." (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday! See you tomorrow for 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 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