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Deep River EDC reviews Mt. St. John update, 12 Bridge Street and outreach plans
Summary
At its April 20 meeting the Deep River Economic Development Commission discussed support for the Mt. St. John property’s new owners, plans to meet with 12 Bridge Street’s new ownership about unused floors, website and outreach updates, and outreach programs including the Hearts Program; the commission approved the February minutes and set a May meeting date.
At its April 20, 2026, meeting the Deep River Economic Development Commission reviewed several local development and outreach items, including support for the Mt. St. John property’s new ownership, a planned meeting with 12 Bridge Street’s new owners about unused floors, website improvements to support town merchandise and outreach, and updates to community programs.
The commission approved the February meeting minutes; the minutes record that the approval passed unanimously. Members present listed in the minutes were Stacie DiNello (EDC member), Jeremy Chase (EDC member), Frank Santoro (EDC member) and Jennifer Gray-Roberts (EDC member). The minutes record one member of the public in attendance, Mike Joy, who asked for an update on the Mt. St. John property.
On the Mt. St. John property, members discussed how the EDC can best support the site’s new ownership; the minutes do not record a formal decision or specific assistance plan but reflect ongoing monitoring and coordination. Regarding 12 Bridge Street, the commission outlined an upcoming meeting with the building’s new ownership and the EDC to identify potential uses for currently unused floors.
Under representation updates the minutes note that the Board of Selectmen approved a banner program; the EDC discussed Deep River Business Guild involvement and how the program will be run but did not record final implementation details. Members also reviewed the Main Accelerator Program/Main Street Visionaries and discussed how payment brackets will be handled.
The commission discussed a recent ATESD traffic update and a meeting with the Middletown Police Chief about that department’s experience with traffic cameras; the minutes record this as an informational discussion rather than a vote to adopt any policy. Members reviewed website work-session items and identified updates needed to facilitate town merchandise sales and to resolve civiclift implementation issues on the Deep River EDC site.
EDC members reported outreach visits with local businesses Chapco and Haynes. The minutes also include a Hearts Program update: five additional hearts had been hidden before tax day and three have been found; members discussed organizing outreach to place more hearts and to reach additional businesses. For new business the commission discussed creating and administering a Deep River EDC Facebook page and agreed to prepare a draft new-business and resident welcome packet for consideration at the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.; the EDC scheduled its May meeting for Monday, May 18, 2026. The minutes were submitted by Jeremy Chase.
