THE VILLAGES OF ESSEX, CENTERBROOK AND IVORYTON
THE "BEST SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA!"
The Villages of Essex, Centerbrook, and Ivoryton welcome you to the "Best Small Town in America" -- A town ready to meet the challenges of the 21st Century while still retaining the flavor of its rich maritime history and the simple pleasures of bygone days.”
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commissions, employees, and volunteers hereby disclaim any and all liability
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Town of Essex
Municipal Government Information
Form of Government
Board of Selectmen: Three member Board with minority
representation.
Board of Finance: Six member Board with minority representation.
Town Meeting: Legislative branch of Essex local government.
Chief elected official
Philip J. Miller, First Selectman
Essex Town Hall
P.O. Box 98
Essex, CT 06426
PHONE 860-767-4340 FAX 860-767-8509 E-MAIL: selectman@essexct.net
Designated Home Page contact
Philip J. Miller
P.O. Box 98
Essex, CT 06426
860-767-4340
Town Profile
Essex is located in Middlesex County. A Board of Selectmen, Town Meeting, and
the Board of Finance govern the Town.
Essex was incorporated on September 13, 1852, as Old Saybrook, taken from
Saybrook. The name changed to Essex on July 8, 1854.
Essex encompasses an area of 12.2 square miles. The estimated population is
6,500. There are three voting districts. The principal industries are boat
building and repair, turbine blades, machine parts, novelties, naval lighting
equipment, bent wire products, and tourism.
Essex is served by numerous motor common carriers.
Essex has three Post Offices: Essex (06426); Centerbrook (06409), and Ivoryton
(06442).
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Town of Essex
Municipal Services Information
Human Services
.
General Assistance Administrator: Cynthia
Varricchio 860-767-4340
Director of Health: Christopher W. Goff, M.D. 860-767-4343
Sanitarian: Carol Speer 860-767-4343
Food Service Establishments: Tom Armantano 860-767-4343
Public Works
The Highway Department Director of Public Works is David Caroline
Highway Department hours: Mon-Fri from 7AM to 3PM.
The phone number is: 860-767-0715.
The Highway Department oversees the Essex Landfill
The Landfill is open to residents on Mon, Thur, Fri, and Sat from 7AM to 3PM.
Information can be obtained by calling 860-767-1926 or 860-767-4348 when the
landfill is closed.
Park and Recreation Department
SUMMER CONCERTS IN THE PARK
Sponsored by Essex Park and Recreation Commission
All concerts are on Wednesday evenings at 7PM and are held in either the Essex
Town Park or Ivoryton Town Park
Call the Essex Town Hall at 767-4348 after May 1st for concert listings and
locations
Bring a picnic supper and enjoy an evening of entertainment and fun!
ESSEX PARK AND RECREATION SUMMER PROGRAM
This highly successful program is open to Essex children who are entering first
through sixth grade in the fall. Call the Essex Town Hall at 767-4348 for an
application form and more information. Don't wait - this program fills up
quickly.
Emergency Services
Fire Chief: Paul Fazzino
Fire Marshal: Richard Leighton
Police Chief: Philip J. Miller
Emergency Management: William Buckridge
Essex is serviced by 911 for all emergencies. Essex has a Resident Trooper,
three full time constables, and several part time constables. The Police
Department can be reached at 767-1054.
Transportation
If you would like to help your community, FISH is a volunteer driving service
that provides medical and dental appointment rides for local men and women who
are not able to drive. FISH is in need of volunteers. If you have your own car
and can be available for a few hours, one day a month, FISH and its elderly
clients would be grateful for your help. Please call the Essex Town Hall at
767-4348 for more information.
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Town of Essex
Monthly Community Calendar
Event - Date - Time - Contact
ESSEX SPECIAL EVENTS
FEBRUARY: Ground Hog Day Parade (usually the Sunday immediately following
Ground Hog Day)
MAY: Burning of The Ships Parade - Call Town Hall at 767-4348 for more
information
May Market – Saturday, Grove Street Park 9:00 – 3:00 (call for date)
Memorial Day Parade (always on
Memorial Day) 8:45 AM
JUNE: Rotary Club Shad Bake –
AUGUST: Lions' Club Clambake
SEPTEMBER: Rotary Club Bluefish Bake
OCTOBER: Halloween Parade October 31
DECEMBER: Trees in the Rigging (Carol sing parade and parade of lighted
ships)
Santa Parade
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS
Board of Education: Second Tuesday of the Month at 7:45PM at the Essex
Elementary School
Essex Housing Authority: First Monday of the Month at the Community Building of
Essex Court at 7:00 PM
THE FOLLOWING MEET AT THE TOWN HALL
Board of Finance: Third Thursday of each month at 7:00PM
Board of Selectmen: First Wednesday of each month at 4:30 PM and the Third
Wednesday of each month at 7:00PM
Conservation Commission: Second Thursday of each month at 7:00PM
Democratic Town Committee: Fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:30PM
Essex Land Conservation Trust: Second Monday (June through September) at 7:00PM
Harbor Management Commission: Fourth Thursday of each month at 7:30PM
Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Commissions: Second Tuesday of each month at
7:30PM
Park and Recreation Commission: First Wednesday of each month at 6:30PM
Planning Commission: Second Thursday of each month at 7:30PM
Republican Town Committee: Second Wednesday of each month at 7:30PM
Sanitary Waste Commission: Second Monday of each month at 7:00PM
Zoning Board of Appeals: Third Tuesday of each month at 8:00PM
Zoning Commission: Third Monday of each month at 7:30PM
Water Pollution Control Authority: Second Monday of each month at 7:00PM
Essex Community Fund: Second Wednesday of each month at 6:00PM.
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Town of Essex
Municipal Library
Library address - Hours of operation - Telephone
Essex Library
33 West Avenue
Essex, CT 06426
Telephone: 860-767-1560 FAX: 860-767-2500
Winter Hours: Monday: Closed; Tuesday-Thursday: 10AM to 8PM; Friday and
Saturday: 10AM to 5PM; Sunday: 1 to 4PM
Summer Hours: Sunday and Monday: Closed; Tuesday-Thursday: 10AM to 8PM; Friday:
10AM to 5PM; Saturday: 10Am to 1PM
Ivoryton Library
Main Street
Ivoryton, CT 06442
860-767-1252
Sunday - Friday: 2PM to 5PM, Wednesday: Noon to 8PM
.
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Town of Essex
Municipal Education Information
CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INITIATED FOR ESSEX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The Essex Elementary School Foundation, Inc., began operations April 17, 1996,
with the election of its founding trustees. The following were elected: President, Treasurer, and Chairman: Chester
W. Kitchings; Jr. Vice President: Lisa
K. Holmes. Secretary: Cynthia H. Clegg;
Directors: Kathleen Goodwin; Ward L. Johnson; Douglas Jones; Justus W. Paul. The elected Directors are Essex residents and have participated in
many local business, civic, and charitable organizations. While independent of
the Essex Board of Education, the Foundation's non-voting ex officio members
include John Proctor, Superintendent of Schools and Terry G. Stewart of the
Essex Board of Education.
Among the goals of the Foundation is to enhance education at the Essex
Elementary School by developing financial support for projects that would not
typically be supported by regular government funding. The Foundation will also
create a permanent endowment for the benefits of Essex Elementary School as
well as an operating fund from which grants can be made using both principal
and interest. Another goal is to further enhance the Community's strong support
for Essex Elementary School.
The Foundation has received Section 501C (3) status from the Internal Revenue
Service and has initiated a Founders' Campaign. Contributors to this campaign
shall be memorialized at the elementary school in the following categories:
Founders $25.00 to $199.00 Founding Patrons $200.00 to $499.00 Founding
Benefactors $500.00 to $999.00 Leading Benefactors $1,000 and over. For further
information, contact Chester W. Kitchings, Jr., at 767-8423.
Board of Education members
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS Terry Stewart, Chairman, November 1997-November 2003: – Keith Dee, November 2002-November 2003: Linda Douglas, November 1999-November 2005: Karen B. Goldfinger, November 1997-November 2003: Kathleen A. Maher, November 2001-November 2007: Mary Louise Polo, November 2001-November
Superintendent, Principals, and how to reach them
Dr. John Gillespie -
Superintendent of Schools - Regional School District Number 4 -- 526-2417
Alan Frishman - Principal - Valley Regional High School -- 526-5328
David Russell - Principal - John Winthrop Junior High School -- 526-9546
Karen Bailey - Principal - Essex Elementary School -- 767-8215
School Addresses
Essex
Elementary School, Main Street, Centerbrook, CT 06409
John Winthrop Junior High School, Route 80, Deep River, CT 06417
Valley Regional High School, Kelsey Hill Road, Deep River, CT 06417
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Town of Essex
Municipal Permit and License Information
WHERE TO OBTAIN:
Town Clerk's Office: Bee Permits, Dog Licenses, Hunting and Fishing Licenses,
Marriage Licenses, Copies of Birth and Death Certificates. Call the Town
Clerk's office at 860-767-4344 for requirements and information regarding the
above.
Selectman's Office: Building Permit
Applications, Pistol Permit Applications, Septic Pump Out Tickets (may also be
obtained at the Essex Landfill), Raffle Permits, Vendor License Applications,
Park Use Requests, Town Hall Meeting Room Requests, Zoning Permit Applications,
Tourist Information, Welfare Assistance, Job Applications, Personnel
Information. Call the Selectman’s office at 860 767-4348 for requirements and
information regarding the above.
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Town of Essex
Municipal Voter Information
Registrars
All registered Essex voters should have received voter registration cards in
the mail. Please fill these cards out and return to the Essex Town Hall.
Elizabeth Schellens and Lois A. Ely
Registration Requirements
You Must:
Be a United States citizen;
Have a permanent residence at the address in the Town in which you wish to vote;
Be at least 17 years old;
Not have been convicted of a felony, or if so, your voting right has to have
been restored.
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Town of Essex
Other Municipal Information
SPECIAL SUMMER EVENTS
Hot Steamed Music Festival Usually held in late June
Call Valley Railroad, Essex: For more info: 1-800-348-0003
SUMMER CONCERTS IN THE PARK
Sponsored by Essex Park and Recreation Commission
All concerts are on Wednesday evenings at 7PM and are held in either the Essex
Town Park or Ivoryton Town Park. Call the Essex Town Hall at 767-4348 after May
1st for concert listings and locations.
Bring a picnic supper and enjoy an evening of entertainment and fun!
ESSEX HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The famous PRATT HOUSE, owned and operated by the Essex Historical Society is
open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through the end of September from 1PMto
4PM. In addition to the normal museum display featuring a fine collection of
antique furniture and related artifacts, we are featuring a collection of
nautical paintings by an Essex Sea Captain, Henry Arnold (1838-1912). These
renderings offer an excellent view of late 19th Century yachting on the
Connecticut River and Long Island Sound.
Displays presenting important aspects of Essex in the past have been set up in
the adjacent PRATT HOUSE barn. Very prominently depicted is the production of
ivory products, which dominated the local economy for almost100 years.
THE IVORYTON PLAYHOUSE
A THEATER FOR ALL SEASONS
The Ivoryton Playhouse, owned and operated by the Ivoryton Playhouse
Foundation, is the oldest professional, self-supporting Summer Theater in the
entire United States where Connecticut's own, Katherine Hepburn got her start
and a wealth of talent too numerous to list performed!
Summer 2004 means 18 years for River Rep at the historic playhouse located at
103 Main Street in the Village of Ivoryton. This 1998 season opened on a brand
new stage. The stage was lowered and resurfaced by the Ivoryton Playhouse
Foundation whose main goal is to ensure that the Playhouse continues to be a
great source of entertainment for the entire community for many years to come.
Enjoy the River rep's eighteenth season at the Ivoryton Playhouse!
This past year the Playhouse offered a full year-round schedule including two
productions for high schools, “The Night Thoreau Spent In Jail,” and “Romeo and
Juliet.” Both productions were
tremendously successful and attracted over 26 schools from all across the
state. The Playhouse also presented two
community musicals, a professional dance series, a murder mystery, and the
premiere of a new musical “Woman of a Certain Age.
In the fall of 2004, the
Ivoryton Playhouse Foundation will commence its second season of year-round
programming with events for audiences of all ages.
WHAT'S THE BEST-KEPT SECRET IN ESSEX?
To find the best kept secret in Essex, just turn the corner to North Main
Street and discover the historic 1814 schoolhouse that has been home to the
Essex Art Association for more than 50 years!
This non-profit organization provides the opportunity for young talent,
students, amateurs, and professional artists to exhibit and sell their work.
The Gallery will be open daily April through October, 1-5 PM. Admission is
free. For further information on membership or current show schedule call
860-526-1951. Visit the Essex Art Association on line at http://essex.com/art/
June 26, 27, 28 - HOT STEAMED JAZZ FESTIVAL The Valley Railroad is also the
site of Essex' annual HOT STEAMED JAZZ FESTIVAL which started in 1992 with a mission
to bring high quality classic, jazz, swing, and blues back to Essex. All
proceeds are donated to The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp.
THE ESSEX COMMUNITY FUND
The Essex Community Fund wishes to thank the many (over 500) local residents
whose thoughtful contributions enabled the Fund to offer grants to over 35
organizations serving the needs of Essex residents. The Community Fund places
special emphasis on assisting those groups and programs which serve Essex young
people and senior citizens. Organizations which have benefited from the
Community Fund are the Shoreline Soup Kitchens, Child and Family Services,
Tri-Town Youth Services, Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley, The Estuary
Council of Senior Clubs, The Salvation Army, The Red Cross, Gateway Counseling,
Middlesex Hospital Mental Health Clinic, Nutmeg Big Brothers/Big Sisters Town
Camp Scholarship; ARC of the Lower Valley, Literacy Volunteers, FISH, Valley
Shore YMCA, Essex Boy Scouts, Essex Cub Scouts, Essex Girl Scouts, Rushford
Center, and others. The Community Fund's goal for 2003 is $50,000. The
Community Fund hopes to involve the business community in supporting their goal
to a greater degree than in years past. The Community Fund also plans on
seeking out new projects, which can have a positive impact in Essex. The Essex
Community Fund states “Much has been made of the designation 'The Best Small
Town in America'.” More importantly, Essex is a Town that cares. The Essex
Community Fund thanks those who have helped to make it possible for the
Community Fund to assist others.
THE ESSEX GARDEN CLUB
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
In 1987, the Essex Garden Club began a Scholarship program for local students
entering college from public or private secondary schools. This year the Club awarded a total of $4,000
to two well qualified students who intend to study in the field of
environmental science. We also donated
two scholarships to local children to attend summer camp at Bushy Hill.
To be considered you must:
Be a high school senior who is a resident of Essex, Centerbrook, or Ivoryton,
attending public or private school;
Have a B or better grade average; and,
Be planning to pursue studies related to Environmental Science in an accredited
2 or 4-year school. Field of study may include Biology, Botany, Ecology, Horticulture,
Forestry, and Land Conservation. Closely related subjects such as Landscape
Architecture may also qualify.
Return application form,
available from your school guidance counselor, by the date specified by your school.
THE ESSEX GARDEN CLUB LOOKS FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU!
Essex Garden Club
P.O. Box 936
Essex, CT 06426
For information, telephone 767-2860
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