May 15, 2025
.com
Chester, Deep River, & Essex Vol. XXV Iss. 20
Region 4 BOE Budget Passes Despite Low Turnout, Split Vote By Christian Maldonado Staff Writer
The Region 4 Board of Education’s $24.5 million budget for the 2025–’26 school year was narrowly approved in a May 6 referendum, despite voter turnout of less than 5% and “no” votes outnumbering “yes” votes in two of the district’s three towns. With only 620 voters casting ballots, the
$24,476,619 budget passed by a slim margin. Chester residents voted the proposal down by a single vote, with 113 in favor and 114 opposed. Deep River also rejected the budget, with 146 no votes to 113 yes votes. In Essex, however, the budget passed overwhelmingly, with 109 voting in favor and just 25 opposed. Because Region 4 budgets are decided by aggregate vote totals across the three towns,
the budget was approved with 335 yes votes to 285 no votes. According to voter registration data from the 2024 presidential election, 12,849 residents are registered to vote across Chester, Deep River, and Essex. This puts turnout at just 4.83%. See Region 4 page 8
History on Parade Members of fife and drum corps and maritime groups parade down Main Street in Essex on May 10 for the annual Burning of the Ships Day. The event commemorates the April 8, 1814, British raid on Essex—then known as Pettipaug—during the War of 1812, when 27 American ships were set ablaze by Royal Marines.
Photo by Laura Matesky/ Valley Courier
Red House Restaurant • Bar • Takeout 158 Main Street, Deep River
Not Just a Great Burger
Barbara Hocker finds her inspiration in the Connecticut River.................2
A Perfect Record The Valley girls’ tennis team is currently undefeated on the season as it locks in for a deep playoff push............................................14
Politics, Drag, and Surrealism Notes on Killing at Yale Rep......................................25