January 22, 2026
.com
Chester, Deep River, & Essex Vol. XXVI Iss. 4
Chester and Deep River Officials Discuss School System Future in Joint Meeting Chester First Selectwoman Cindy Lignar called the special Board of Selectman meeting, joined by the Chester Board of Finance, Two of the three towns that send students as well as the Deep River Board of Selectmen to the regional high school were in atten- and Board of Finance. An unorthodox meetdance for a special meeting Jan. 14, but ing of the officials for both towns, the meeting Essex wasn’t invited. was called to talk about the recent discus-
By Christian Maldonado Staff Writer
sions regarding a potential change to grade configuration and governance of the school systems in Chester, Deep River, and Essex. Lignar opened the meeting, discussing the infancy of the task forces that have been See Chester and Deep River page 10
Abby Roccapriore is a program manager at Tritown Youth Services in Deep River................................2
Animating Their Legos Michael Fogerty arranges Lego figures during a stop motion animation class at Chester Public Library on Jan. 17. Children's Librarian Emma Burton led the workshop, teaching children to create video animations using iPhones and light boxes. For more information on upcoming library events, visit chesterctlibrary.com.
Photo by Wesley Bunnell/ Valley Courier
Lynn Giroux is ready to step up as Essex Bank’s next president..........6
The fiery end of the steamboat Lexington is the topic of Captain Morgan’s column........................13
KEEP CALM
AND
EAT
POTSTICKERS
Just up the Road
Red House, Deep River