By Charles Stannard
DEEP RIVER– The directors of the historic Foundain Hill Cemetary have asked the board of selectmen for town funding support for maintenance work at the cemetery.
Richard Forstall, president of the board of directors, appeared before the selectmen last week to explain the request. Forstall said the cemetary is about to stop cremations, which have been a major source of income.
Forstall said the crematorium needs to be upgraded at an estimated cost of $200,000, an amount the association can not afford to cover. He said the loss of income from cremations would leave funding shortfalls for ongoing maintenance at the large cemetary located off High Street.
First Selectman Richard Smith said the selectmen and finance board would consider giving the association a specified amount, possibly $15,000 per year over three budget years, to assist with maintenance expenses. Smith said the town highway department could also help with some maintenance work, which it already does for another historic cemetary in the Winthrop section of town.
From a press release:
We begin the month of April with the celebration of God’s amazing love for us in His dying and the Glorious News of His Resurrection. Everyone is welcome to attend all of the Holy Week and Easter services here.
Palm Sunday is celebrated with Men’s Palm Sunday Breakfast served by the women of the church. Men from neighboring churches worship together beginning at 7:00 a.m. The speaker this year is The Rev. William West, Chaplain at the Hospital of St. Raphael in New Haven. Bill has served as a hospital chaplain at the Hospital of Saint Raphael since 1997 with primary unit assignments in the Emergency Department, In-patient Adult Psychiatric Unit, the Surgical Intensive Care Unit and the Out-patient Renal Dialysis Unit.
On April 1st, Maundy Thursday Communion Service commemorates the Last Supper and our fourth grade Sunday School students will receive their First Communion that evening. There will be a Soup and Bread supper at 6:30 p.m. on Good Friday, followed by a moving Good Friday Worship service at 7:30 p.m. The traditional Easter Sunrise service will be held at Mt. Saint John School at 6:30 a.m. on Easter Sunday, April 4th. We will celebrate Easter with two services at the church; one at 9:00 a.m., which is a family service and the second at 10:30 a.m. A wonderful array of treats prepared by Martha Beaudoin will be served by our Deacons at a special coffee hour between the two services.
Please contact the church for further information: 860-526-5045 or office.drcc@snet.net. You may also check our church website for updates and other activities in the life of the church at www.deepriverchurch.org.
By Charles Stannard
DEEP RIVER— The informational town meeting on expenditures related to the Deep River Visiting Nurses Association is now expected to be held in early April.
First Selectman Richard Smith told the board of selectmen Tuesday that a detailed audit of town expenses related to the association would be completed by March 23, the next meeting date for the selectmen and board of finance. He said selectmen would set a date for the informational town meeting at the March 23 meeting.
The town meeting will present information on town expenses for the private, non-profit association which provides visiting nurse and health related services to residents, along with coordinating social services for the town. Town officials are concerned about a rising gap between town expenses for the association, and revenue generated by the association from fees and reimbursements.
Smith has said the town meeting would also include information on alternatives, such as joining the Centerbrook-based Visiiting Nurses of the Lower Valley Inc, and sharing an employee with another town, probably Chester, for coordinating social services. After the informational meeting, the board of selectmen is expected to call a referendum vote on whether residents want to continue funding the local nusring association. The referendum would be held later in April, but before final completion of a town budget plan for 2010-2011.
The board Tuesday also conferred with town attorney Jane Marsh on legal issues related to the nursing association. The Deep River Visiting Nurses was established in 1936, with a resolution approved at a 1976 town meeting affirming the current organizational structure where a board of directors manages the operation of the association.
Marsh said the current board of selectmen could act to rescind or amend the 1976 resolution because it was prepared and presented to voters by the board of selectmen at that time. “It was the board of selectmen that created this adjunct group to run the nursing association,” she said.
From a press release:
The Deep River Public Library is pleased to report that the Middlesex County Community Foundation has approved a grant in the amount of $5,000 for Improved Access to “The New Era.”
The grant has been awarded in the Heritage Enrichment focus area. The grant is made possible by the generosity of the Middlesex County Community Foundation/River View Cemetery Fund/MiddleOak Fund. The grant will be used to purchase a microfilm reader scanner. The Deep River Historical Society and the Friends of the Library will also be contributing toward this equipment.
The Deep River Public Library houses and provides access to microfilm copies of the old newspaper New Era ( Chester ) May 1874-March 24, 1877 and ( Deep River ) New Era January 1880-January 19, 1977. Our present microfilm/reader printer was donated in 1997 by the Deep River Historical Society because of easier access to the microfilm at the library.
The old papers were microfilmed due to the unworkable paper copies and because Deep River could supply a major part of the papers we were included in the filming of the collection. The Connecticut State Library in Hartford is the only other place where the microfilm is available. Presently our microfilm reader/printer for the public provides spotty results at best. The New Era is accessed for any number of reasons – researching events, genealogy, or when writing a thesis. The users come from Deep River, Old Saybrook, Essex, Chester , Westbrook, and throughout the state and country. Replacing the old microfilm reader/printer is a must to better serve the researching of heritage in the area.
We will acquire a productive and more efficient microfilm retrieval solution, which is user-friendly, flexible and scalable, which will improve the accessibility, quality and timeliness of information to our patrons. After the images are scanned pages can be saved to a hard drive or flash drive, printed, or e-mailed. This grant allows the continuation of the cooperation between The Deep River Historical Society and The Deep River Public Library.
The Middlesex County Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for the people of the County, now and in the future, by developing endowments, making grants that have impact and assisting donors in meeting their philanthropic objectives. Since its founding in 1997, the Community Foundation has provided over $1.5 million in grants to more than 200 organizations for the arts, cultural and heritage programs, educational activities, environmental improvements and for health and human services.
By: Charles Stannard
DEEP RIVER— The town’s voters will decide the future of the Deep River Visiting Nurses Association in a referendum to be held this spring before a subsequent vote on a town budget plan for 2010-2011.
First Selectman Richard Smith said that was the plan informally endorsed by the board of selectmen and board of finance after a meeting Tuesday where Richard Daniels Jr., president of the agency board of directors, presented a detailed report on the operations of the organization. Daniels described portions of the report as a “rebutal” to an earlier report by a town study committee that projected a growing cost gap between town expenditures for the agency and revenue received from fees and reimbursements. The study committee report presented last month estimated the cost gap at around $199,000 in the 2008-2009 fiscal year, a figures that excludes some expenses for the town building on High Street that the nurses share with the Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau.
Daniels, who served on the board of selectmen with Smith from 1991 until last year, contended some of the costs cited by the study committee and by Smith are inflated. “They are trying to make the expenses of the VNA look greater than they are,” he said. Daniels also explained problems with billings for reimbursements that developed last year, and the board of directors selection of an outside consulting firm, McBee Associates of Wayne Pa., to asisst in improving the billing process.
The Deep River Visiting Nurses Association, established in 1936, currently employs a registered nurse/ supervisor, two registered nurses, a billing and clerical employee, and several nursing employees hired on a part-time basis. Along with health care related services, the association also coordinates social services for the town, including distribution of food, fuel, and clothing assistance to needy residents.
Smith said Wednesday Daniels’ report “did everything but address the real issues, which are the finances.” Smith said the selectmen and finance board agreed to have an auditor, either the town’s regular firm of McGladrey & Pullin of New Haven, or separate firm, perform another audit of the town’s costs and expenditures for the association, and revenue generated by the association from payments for services. “The people need to know what the numbers are,” he said, adding the new audit would provide officials and residents with an exact determination of past and present expenses for the association, and a projection on costs for 2010-2011.
Smith said the information gathered in the new audit would be presented to residents at an informational town meeting, along with a comparison of the likely costs if the town joined the Centerbrook-based Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley Inc., which already provides nursing services for Chester and Essex, and used a part-time employee or an arrangement with another town to coordinate social services. He said Chester officials are willing to consider sharing a social services coordinator with Deep River.
After the cost data and comparisons are presented at the information meeting, voters would be asked in a referendum question whether they support continued town funding for the Deep River Visiting Nurses Association. “The residents have to decide whether they want to pay more for this services,” Smith said. He compared the current debate to one that occurred in 2004, when voters decided over Smith’s opposition to discontinue funding for a separate emergency dispatch center and join the regional Valley Shore Emergency Services organization for dispatching services.
Smith said the informational meeting would be held sometime in March, with a referendum to follow sometime in April. He said selectmen and the finance board want to have a decision from the voters on funding for the nurses association in hand before making final decisions on a town budget plan for 2010-2011. The annual town budget referendum is usually held in late May.
By Charles Stannard
DEEP RIVER— The grand list of taxable property is up by nearly seven-tenths of one percent, one of the larger increases recorded for 2009 in area towns.
Assessor Robin O’Loughlin has filed an October 2009 grand list that totals $518,337,262, an increase of $3.45 million, or .671 percent, from the 2008 total. There were small increases for real estate, motor vehicles, and personal property.
The real estate total of $472,351,790 is up by $2.9 million from the 2008 total. A motor vehicles total of $30,740,770 is up by $90,548. The personal property total of $15,244,702 is up by $463,652 from the previous year.
First Selectman Richard Smith said he is pleased by a grand list increase that was larger than he had expected. “With the economy the way it is now, this is a good increase,” he said.
Smith said the increase reflects the completion of a new and larger Cumberland Farms store on Main Street that opened last year, and conversion of the former Elms rooming house in to a mixed use building. “This shows Deep River has an improving commercial and industrial tax base,” he said.
Smith said the increase would generate about $74,000 in new tax revenue at the current tax rate of 21.73 mills. In comparison, a tiny three-hundredths of a percent grand list jump in Chester is expected to generate only about $33,000 in new tax revenue, while a three-hundredths of a percent drop in the Essex grand list is expected to leave the town with about $59,000 less revenue at the current tax rate.
The town’s top ten taxpayers remained unchanged, with the Connecticut Light and Power Co. remaining the top taxpayer with an assessment of $4,725,571. Second place is Silgan Plastics Corporation with an assessment of $3,447,789. Mislick Family Partnership is the third largest taxpayer with an assessment of $3,230,640.
Others on the top ten with the assessment inclucde BDRM Inc. ($3,147,454), Thomas Boyd & K. Dernocoeur ($2,471,070), 180 Main Street Partners LLC ($2,424,800), and Deep River Associates LLC ($2,313,920).
Also three residential properties, Jerome & Marlene Scharr ($2,023,280), Alberto & Raffaella Cribiore ($1,934,730), and Virginia B. Linburg ($1,934,380).
This video shot from a helicopter on Sunday for CTNewsJunkie.com, LocalOnlineNews.TV, and the Journal Inquirer shows the damaged Kleen Energy natural gas power plant in Middletown, Conn. after an explosion blew most of the sheet metal walls off one of the plant’s building. At least two people were killed and dozens more were injured in the blast that occurred with dozens of people inside or nearby the building.
By: Charles Stannard
CHESTER — Democratic State Senator Eileen Daily of Westbrook, who has represented the 33rd State Senatorial district since 1992, confirmed that she would seek a tenth term this year at a Chester gathering of area Democrats Wednesday evening.
Daily already has a potential Republican challenger. Neil Nichols, a former airline and Air Force pilot from Essex, this week formed an exploratory committee for a possible run for the seat.
Nichols, who serves on the Republican State Central Committee, was an unsuccessful challenger to Democratic State Rep. James Spallone in the local 36th House District in 2006.
Links:
State Senator Eileen Daily’s Website
Neil Nichols’ Announcement Press Release
The local Haitian community in Deep River is joining with the Rotary Clubs of Deep River, Essex, and Chester as well as the Interact Club at Valley Regional High School, to raise funds in an atmosphere of cultural diversity and sharing on Tuesday, February 23rd from 6 – 8 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Deep River (1 Church Street).
From authentic Haitian cuisine to the sounds of Patois and music, guests will enjoy a taste of Haiti while helping to provide funding for much needed medical care.
The devastation in Haiti can be felt right here in our own backyard. Families in Deep River like Elina Aspilaire, Justa Maignan, and Lauraine Buissereth are still searching for information on family members and mourning the loss of their loved ones’ homes and all that was once Port au Prince.
Thanks to the generosity of local businesses and organizations including the Whistle Stop Café in Deep River, Essex Printing, the First Congregational Church of Deep River, and Essex Meadows, 100% of the proceeds from the benefit will be directed to the Haitian Health Foundation and Hôpital Albert Schweitzer.
The Haitian Health Foundation (HHF) was established by New London Rotarian and orthodontist Dr. Jeremiah Lowney in 1982. HHF relies on donations from individuals, private foundations, religious organizations, civic groups, schools, etc., to provide health and social services to more than 100 impoverished mountain villages in and around Jérémie—increasing the health and well-being of 225,000 needy Haitians.
Hôpital Albert Schweitzer (HAS) is a model for health care facilities in developing countries around the world. In 1954, on the site of a decommissioned banana plantation, Larry and Gwen Mellon built and staffed a medical complex that fit the needs of a neglected rural population. Essex resident Jenifer Grant continues to support her mother and stepfather’s vision. Today HAS provides medical care and community health and development programs for more than 300,000 impoverished people in the Artibonite Valley of central Haiti. Although the hospital experienced serious tremors it was unharmed and the wonderful staff, all Haitian except one, the Swiss Medical Director, were immediately able to begin to care for the injured. Many who were unable to get care in Port au Prince for the first several days made their way to Hopital Albert Schweitzer. They had as many as 600 patients in the hospital at one time, most awaiting badly needed surgical care.
Tickets for the event are $20.00 and are available through any Essex, Chester, or Deep River Rotarian. A limited number of tickets will also be available at the door. For more information or tickets, please contact Jeff Mehler at (860) 767-9700.
Links:
Deep River Congregational Church
Hospital Albert Schweitzer
Chester Rotary
Deep River Rotary
Essex Rotary Club
By: Charles Stannard
DEEP RIVER— Laura Smith has entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of first degree larceny by embezzlement that was filed against her last November. Smith, the wife of long-time First Selectman Richard Smith, entered the plea in Middlesex Superior Court on Jan. 26.
Smith, 46 , was arrested on a court warrant in November on a charge related to the alleged embezzlement of $47,983 from accounts at the Liberty Bank branch on Main Street.
Smith was employed at the bank until an investigation began in February 2009. The funds have been paid back to the bank. Smith was represented in court last week by Essex lawyer Christopher Morano. Morano is a former Chief State’s Attorney of Connecticut now in private practice.
