DEEP Commissioner Esty Visits Gillette Castle State Park

Commissioner Daniel C. Esty of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) met with legislators, their constituents and the public on Thursday at Gillette Castle State Park.

Esty arrived at the park via the Chester-Hadlyme ferry and took part in a tour of the castle grounds, led by Nicole Chalfant, former DEEP employee, who was giving her farewell tour at Gillette. Chalfant recently took another position in Massachussetts.

Officials who participated in the tour included Sen. Eileen Daily, Rep. Linda Orange, East Haddam First Selectman Mark Walter and Rep. Patricia Widlitz.

"I've always loved Gillette Castle," Widlitz said. "My Uncle, Joseph Warner, was a caretaker of the castle and I had the opportunity growing up to spend time here exploring it. I got to go places the public doesn't normally get to see.

"The castle is a piece of Connecticut history that should be maintained, as well as the ferries. My grandfather, Freeman Phelps was a ferry captain."

The tour was followed by a photo opportunity with state and local officials against the backdrop of the castle. The event culminated in the Exhibit Room at the Visitor's Center with a Speaker's Ceremony and question and answer session with Esty. 

Other participants included Robert C. Bell, President of the Valley Railroad Company; Kandie Carle, Artistic Director of the East Haddam Stage Company; and Leslie Lewis, WalkConnecticut Coordinator of the CT Forest and Park Association. Members of the Hadlyme Hall Association, DEEP employees and a handful of citizens with comments and questions at the ready for the commissioner were also in attendance.

Esty admitted that he had never had the opportunity to visit Gillette Castle and its grounds before and how much he enjoyed being there for the event. He says the park is part of "a lot of treasures we have here in Connecticut."

Speakers for the event included Susan Frechette, DEEP Deputy Commissioner; Mark Walter, East Haddam First Selectman; Daniel C. Esty, DEEP Commissioner; and Melissa Ziobron, President of Friends of Gillette Castle State Park.

The "Commissioner in your Corner" is a monthly program set up by the DEEP to highlight activities in Connecticut State Parks and Forests and allow for public input on environmental concerns.