Chester Finance Committee approves targeted cuts to narrow $38,000 budget shortfall. Chair Florence Bolduc oversaw reductions including Fire Chief salary set at $14,875 under a motion by member Bob Daley to honor prior-year compensation commitments, a $4,081 Assessor principal reduction through

The Chester Municipal Electric Light Department Commissioners unanimously approved establishment of a working capital trust account with Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) for expanded joint action services. Chairman Deryck Savoy, Commissioner Lori Fieldstad, and

Chester Finance Committee defers action on departmental budgets pending additional records. The Tax Collector and Police Chief each requested a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment and 2 percent performance review increase; the Police Chief said she would accept those terms. Council on Aging

Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee approves $228,000 FY27 budget with federal increase. The budget includes a $10,000 boost in base federal funding and an anticipated $8,000 partnership grant for an interactive watershed map showing designated sections, access points, conservation parcels, and