Town of Deep River

08/02/2024

02/23/2024

DOGS UP FOR ADOPTION

Please go to www.essexct.gov/animal-control to fill out an application - only applications will be considered. Animal Control Office Fountain will call for meet and greets!

Thank you Town of Deep River!

02/21/2024

A Public meeting to discuss the expenditure of 5.8 million dollars for cleanup of John Winthrop will be held on Wednesday evening, Feb 21st @ 7:00pm @ Valley Regional in the library/media center. Please plan to come to hear what is planned and offer your voice.

01/29/2024

Note from First Selectman Jones, follows:
Many calls have come in to the town hall expressing concern about the homeowners and the dogs. Thank you so much for reaching out.
However, at this point, this is a criminal case as noted in the police statement above. The dogs are not up for adoption at this time, as the town does not have ownership.
While certainly well intended, please do not visit the dog pound or call the ACO regarding this matter; she is not at liberty to speak about an active case and no unauthorized persons are allowed with the dogs at this time. The ACO will continue to take all routine animal related calls as per her job description.
We currently have 20 dogs at the pound, with an additional mother and her puppies at a private residence. Another 15+ animals are currently being housed with other local animal control officers at their shelters.
As you can imagine, this large influx of dogs has taken its toll on the dog pound supplies. We are in desperate need of the following:
• Small breed dry dog food
• Small breed dry puppy chow
• Wet food such as 'Little Caesar'
• P*e pads (Training pads for dogs)
• Paper Towels
• Clorox wipes
• Dish soap
• Old Bath towels
• Small metal dog dishes (heavy plastic is ok, as long as it's sturdy, so it won't tip over easily)
Please drop donations off at the town hall.
If you might be interested in adoption, please call my office and speak to Tina (860-526-6020), and she will take your name and contact information. The ACO will reach out to all interested parties, should any dogs become available. Again, at this time, we are not at liberty to discuss any details about the dogs (breed, age, etc.).
Thank you again for keeping all those involved in this situation in your thoughts with only positive vibes. Remember, spread love not hate.
Thank you,
Carol

01/29/2024

From the First Selectman's Office-Press Release

SELECTMAN'S OFFICE
174 Main Street
Deep River, Connecticut 06417
Press Release - CT State Police. Troop F,
During the month of April 2023, Tri-Town Regional Animal Control received a complaint of barking dogs at a residence located on Bushy Hill Road in the town of Deep River. In response, Animal
Control Officers met with an adult female at the residence who identified herself as the homeowner.
The homeowner advised the Officers that she bred dogs at the residence and held a kennel license.
While at the residence, the Officers interacted with dogs located in the yard which appeared alert and responsive but exhibited abnormally oily coats, raising concerns about possible maltreatment.
It was later confirmed that the homeowner at the residence held and maintained three (3) kennel licenses, permitting her to house up to thirty (30) adult dogs.
From September 2023 through January 2024, Animal Control Officers made multiple attempts to perform a required kennel check at the residence, but the homeowner repeatedly refused to allow Officers to enter and would not otherwise schedule a time for a kennel check to be conducted. During their communications, the homeowner was advised that assistance was available if there were animals on the premises needing to be adopted or re-homed.
On January 3, 2024, Tri Town Regional Animal Control was contacted by staff at a veterinary hospital reporting potential animal cruelty. Officers learned that a dog allegedly owned by the
same resident on Bushy Hill Road had arrived at the hospital with severe medical conditions which resulted in euthanasia.
On January 10, 2024, based upon information obtained at the veterinary hospital, Animal Control
Officers and Deep River Police arrived at the residence on Bushy Hill Road to conduct an inspection of the kennel. During the inspection, unsanitary conditions were observed within the residence, such as dirt, trash, urine and f***l matter. Investigators ultimately determined that the residence was unsuitable for the housing of animals. It was also observed that there was not adequate food or water available for the dogs and that some of the dogs had matted, unclean fur.
On 01/25/2024, State Police and Animal Control served a search warrant at the residence, with assistance from the Tri Town Animal Control Officer, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture,
multiple Animal Control Officers from throughout Connecticut, and the Deep River Police. The search warrant resulted in the seizure of 43 dogs, 3 hens, and 1 rooster from inside the residence and an
additional 8 hens from the property on Bushy Hill Road in the town of Deep River.
All of the animals seized were medically evaluated by a vet and have been transported to various animal control facilities around the state for continuing care.
The accused homeowner was issued a misdemeanor summons, charging her with fifty-five (55) counts of C.G.S. 53-247(a), Cruelty to Animals. She was subsequently released with a promise to appear at Middletown Superior Court, on 02/08/2024, and a condition of release that she was to not possess
animals of any type.
***End of press release***

01/11/2024

Deep River Town Hall will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2024 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

12/22/2023

DEEP RIVER - ESSEX CONNECTION

A regional collaboration to acquire a key open space successfully
brings our communities closer together.

When a 2.5 acre property on Rattling Valley Road in Deep River came on the market, the Town immediately recognized the potential for a connection between Canfield Woods (public open space owned by the Town of Deep River and the Essex Land Trust) and the Deep River Land Trust’s (DRLT) Bidwell Preserve. We are pleased to report that through a regional collaboration, the Town
of Deep River now owns this key piece of public open space! The property will become part of the adjacent Canfield Woods.

The DRLT led the initiative to acquire the connecting piece working closely with the DR Planning & Zoning and Conservation & Inland Wetlands Commissions and in consultation with the Essex Land
Trust. The property was acquired with multiple funding sources, the majority of funds contributed by the Town of Deep River’s Open Space Fund. Additional funding was provided by the Deep River
Land Trust, The CT River

Gateway Commission and the Mary Janvrin & Natalie Janvrin Wiggins Fund for Birds, Other Animals and Nature at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County.

This parcel adds to the many benefits connected open space brings to our communities including:

● Protection of water resources - the property contains a tributary of Pratt Cove which is part of a large system of freshwater tidal wetlands in the lower Connecticut River Valley. This system is recognized as a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention and a Last Great Place by the Nature Conservancy.
● Habitat protection - the property is home to a healthy, diverse ecosystem and provides an unbroken corridor for movement of wildlife from the Connecticut River to the Canfield Woods sanctuary.
● Education - the property offers ample environmental education opportunities important for inspiring stewardship.

Public access is also an important benefit of open space. Residents and visitors will be able to walk from Essex through Canfield Woods and into Deep River all the way to Pratt Cove with views of the CT River. A proposed trail, designed to sustainability guidelines, will allow walkers to travel safely through the new property enjoying ridgeline, forest and marsh views while protecting this important habitat.

Maps of the existing trails on Canfield Woods, the Bidwell, Rattling Valley Ridge and Smyth preserves are available on the Essex and Deep River Land Trust websites

12/21/2023

The TRANSFER STATION will be closing at 12:00pm on Sunday, December 24th.
Have a wonderful and safe Holiday!

12/12/2023

Pay As You Throw Ordinance Defeated at Town Meeting: YES- 94 / NO- 280

12/11/2023

From the Desk of the First Selectman:

The Emergency Management Team of the Town of Deep River along with the First Selectman's office conferred with other state and municipal leaders along with the Governor's office in a zoom call at 1 PM. At 6 PM we were updated with the latest on the storm. We are keeping an eye on things and prepared to take action if necessary.

Please be aware that a Flood Watch is in effect for all of Connecticut. A Wind Advisory has been issued for southern portions of Middlesex county. Weather models continue to point toward a significant flooding event for the state with the worst flooding expected in areas to the east of Hartford.

If traveling, please avoid driving through any standing water. Do not approach any downed power lines; assume they are live wires, and call 911 to report. Eversource has added additional crews to handle any power outages due to downed trees and wires.

At this time, scattered areas of moderate to heavy rain has entered the state and will continue into the morning hours. The heaviest rain will arrive late tonight and continue until 6am. Rainfall totals of 3 to 5 inches are expected with higher totals possible. Minor to moderate river flooding is currently forecast and, in some areas, moderate to major river flooding may occur along the smaller rivers and streams throughout the state.

Damaging Wind Threat: Wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph are expected for inland areas of Connecticut. Coastal communities and eastern CT could see gusts to 55 mph. The strongest winds will occur from midnight until 5 AM.

Please stay safe. We will send updates as new information comes to light.