🌱Loosening Zoning Rules In Essex? + Tri-Town Parenting Webinar

Hello and happy Thursday. I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through everything you need to know about what's happening these days in Essex-Chester-Deep River. Let's do this.

First, today's weather:

Nice with plenty of sunshine. High: 73 Low: 49.

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

1. Mystic-based Greylock Property Group has asked Essex town zoning officials if they would be open to loosening their rules to allow for developing middle-income housing. According to a CT Examiner article, "Ken Navarro of Greylock, along with attorney Bill Sweeney, pitched the Essex Planning and Zoning Commission on the idea of building twelve, four-unit, townhouse-style condo buildings on a 12-acre wooded property at 160 Saybrook Road. Sweeney said Greylock was interested in working with the commission to diversify housing stock in Essex to include something other than single-family homes – which make up 76 percent of the town’s housing stock, according to the town’s affordable housing plan. Essex’s zoning regulations are restrictive on housing density, Sweeney said – making it difficult to build multifamily housing outside the town’s multifamily district between Main Street in Ivoryton and Route 9. Greylock hasn’t made a formal application for a zone change, Sweeney said they wanted to make sure the commission wasn’t totally opposed to the idea before moving forward. And if the commission does approve the proposal, Greylock would still need to apply for a special exception approval for the development from the commission before moving forward."(CT Examiner)
2. Looking to have some fun? The Middlesex Community College Foundation will host its annual Red Moon Fest on October 1 at the Middletown campus, located on 100 Training Hill Road. The public is invited to attend and participate in the in-person event, which will begin at 6 p.m. outdoors under the stars in The Grove. Attendees at the Red Moon Fest can take part in raffle prizes, a virtual silent auction as well a live auction to raise funds for student scholarships. Hope to see you there! (Press Release Desk)
3. Being a parent is hard sometimes, to help out, Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau is holding a parent webinar, "Finding Your Voice as a Parent: Bringing Advocacy to the Table" on Thursday, September 22 at 7 p.m. This webinar will be co-hosted by the Stamford JCC (Stamford, CT). It is free and open to the public. Registration can be completed here, https://us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_E0MzaKW0TumV3dX3qt08hw. (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• American History Book Club (3rd Thurs, every 2 months) (5 p.m.)
• Fern Ledge Hike followed by Happy Hour at Surfridge Brewery (5:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Deep River Fire Department: "Congratulations to all the 2022 winners of the DRFD Automotive Extravaganza. Thank you for all who brought their amazing vehicles and who came out to support this wonderful show." (Deep River Fire Department via Facebook)
• Chester CT Historical Society: "Using wood from the Meeting House, some of our artists created art of the Meeting House, which can be seen in the Meeting House on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. Party food, friends, live music and silent auction." (Chester CT Historical Society via Facebook)
• Town of Deep River: "Did You Know? Deep River Celebrates 75 Years of Independence. Overlooking “Keyboard Lake” was a building identified as George Read's office. George Read was a very influential gentleman in early Deep River. " (Town of Deep River via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Just released! It's a new academic year, which means that Rainbow Alliance is starting up again! First meeting will be next Monday, September 19, at 3:30 p.m." (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Town of Essex – Government: "PART TIME CUSTODIAL POSITION AVAILABLE AT TOWN HALL" (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)
• Chester Public Library: "In honor of our astronomy event happening this Friday, we've put together a limited amount of STEAM kits to learn about the different phases of the moon. Stop in and pick one up while supplies last!" (Chester Public Library via Facebook)
• TriTown Cub Scout Pack 13, Neighbor: "Parents and caregivers of boys and girls grades K-5, do you think the children in your life would like to become a Cub Scout? Would you like your child to learn about and reconnect with nature while making new friends and building new skills? TriTown Cub Scout Pack 13 is holding Joining Night & Field Games on Thursday, Sept 15, from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Deep River Horseshoe Field across from Deep River Congregational Church. Come with your child and meet the Cub Scouts and Leaders! Financial Assistance is available for qualifying families through CT Rivers Council BSA. Contact us at tritownpack13@gmail.com if you have any questions. Hope to see you soon!" (Patch Neighbor Posts)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right. See you all tomorrow morning for 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