🌱Read To Louie, He Listens + Congratulations To Charles Ashton!

Morning, Essex-Chester-Deep River! Karena Garrity here with your Thursday edition of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter, full of all the things you need to know about what's happening in town. Today you'll read about...

• Deep River Fire Department news!
• Read with Louie!
• Senator Norm Needleman joined the bipartisan vote.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and very warm. High: 83 Low: 61.

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

1. The Deep River Fire Department is happy to announce that Charles Ashton, a former junior member, has been unanimously voted in as a senior member of the department. Charley is the grandson of former Chief Richard Forrestal. Congratulations Charles! (Deep River Fire Department via Facebook)
2. Essex Library will host a May session of Louie Listens, an opportunity for kids and teens to read with a local, licensed therapy dog, on Thursday, May 11 from 5- 6 p.m. Reading to a therapy dog has been proven to improve reading skills, self-esteem, and confidence in public speaking sessions. Kids and teens can sign up to spend time with and read to Louie the Labrador, a local, licensed therapy dog and his handler, Rebecca Russell. Time slots will be a private 10 minutes to read to and interact with Louie. This free event is open to all kids and teens who wish to practice reading, or spend time, with a therapy dog. Register at 860-767-1560 or by e-mailing staff.essexlib@gmail.com. (Essex Library)
3. State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) joined the bipartisan vote in the state Senate yesterday to approve an arbitrated award granting 35,500 state employees an average of $25 a week for the year they spent working closely with others at a time when there was no COVID-19 vaccine and the COVID-19 infection process was largely a mystery. According to a press release, "Senate Resolution 26 passed [yesterday] on a bipartisan vote of 32-3. "Our action today ensures tens of thousands of crucial, essential state workers receive recognition of their hard work during difficult times," said Sen. Needleman. "When we were still learning a fraction of what we now know about COVID-19, these first responders, health care workers and many others continued to report to work and kept our state running. They deserve this support." Other New England states providing similar pandemic pay stipends to their state employees include New Hampshire ($2,400 to $6,300 per-person), Massachusetts ($1,500 to $2,000 lump-sum payments per-person), Maine (hourly pay increases which exceed the Connecticut arbitration award) and Vermont (premium pay for corrections officers only). (Senator Norm Needleman's Office)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Louie Listens (5:00 PM)
• Board Game Night! Ages High School - 30 (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Town of Essex – Government: "Drug Take Back Day - April 22nd!" (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)
• Chester Public Library: "Chester Public Library presents: 10 Tips to Manage Stress with Dr. Wendy Hurwitz Wednesday May 3rd at 11:30am Chester Town Hall This presentation will provide tips to manage stress whatever your age or situation." (Chester Public Library via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Reminder, reminder! Next Monday, April 17th, at 3:30pm, is the next Rainbow Alliance Meeting at 56 High St. in Deep River (Tri-Town Youth Services). Be here, or be square!" (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: "5 Recycling Tips To Welcome the Spring Season: Tip # 3 3. Spring Cleaning – Make It Count You can dust, vacuum and wipe all you want, but there’s a reason why spring is the best time to be thorough with your cleaning. " (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)

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That's it for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with a new 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