🌱It's BOE Budget Time In The Tri-Towns + SSKP Food Drive April 9

Happy Thursday, neighbors! Let's get this day started. Here's everything happening today in town.

First, today's weather:

Increasingly windy. High: 59 Low: 54.

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

1. On Saturday, April 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Connecticut shoreline fire departments will partner with the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries (SSKP) to host a one-day food drive to collect non-perishable food for shoreline residents in need. This is the tenth year this community event is being held to help those in need. (CT Insider)
2. The Preserve, which was purchased for conservation in 2015 is a 1,000 acre stretch of forest that lies in Old Saybrook, Westbrook and Essex. A proposal to allow logging and hunting on the property has been brought up, (to help control the deer population and also strengthen the health of the forest). However, this proposal is not being welcomed by all with open arms. Some believe the land should remain untouched. (CT Insider)
3. The Chester Board of Education's proposed $8.1 million dollar budget will go to a public presentation, before the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance, on April 6. The proposed budget includes funds for an additional classroom teacher. (Zip06.com)
4. A public presentation of the Region 4 School District proposed $21.7 million dollar budget will be held on Monday, April 4. The budget calls for a decrease in spending of 1.15 percent from the current year's budget. (Zip06.com)

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Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• River Valley Artists - show setup - Essex Library Association (10:00 AM)
• Classics Book Group Discussion - Essex Library Association (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Essex Steam Train & Riverboat: "A Premium Social Experience May 19! We would like to welcome you to The Essex Steam Train platform “speakeasy” where your host, UMASS Professor, Folklorist, and Alcohol Historian, Stephen Gencarella will help you explore your premium whiskey tastings and entertain you with a fun and informative engagement to start the evening." (Facebook)
• Essex Steam Train & Riverboat: "Table for Two? The remaining seats for the Bunny BRUNCH on April 9, 15 and 16, will only be sold as tables of two. Please be aware that tables cannot be moved or combined!" (Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Our newest storytime for ages 0-3, Wiggle Worms, starts next Tuesday, April 5 at 10:30 a.m.! Wiggle Worms is a play-based music and movement storyt ime for children and their caregivers, and will be offered weekly on Tuesdays." (Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "We wrapped up our community education series on vaping last week and although it may *seem* nonsensical, for the month of April we will be focusing on early childhood. Wondering how those two areas of prevention relate?" (Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "To our community whom always supports one another, please read this post by the Early Childhood Council. All monetary donations will be put towards burial costs and medical bills for this little one 💔" (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Famous Chicken BBQ Drive Thru (April 23)
• Earth Day Festival & Market - Help Us Celebrate 50 Years! (April 23)
• Add your event

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with a new 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.