Chester electric department commissioners discuss staffing options after manager resignation. The Chester Municipal Electric Light Department commissioners met April 23 to discuss five options for addressing a vacant department manager position, from partnerships with Westfield Gas and Electric or
Finance Committee approves employee compensation increases while holding most budget lines flat. The committee unanimously level funded the Recreation Committee budget despite a significant increase request, and granted the Council on Aging director a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment while level
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 reviews Assessor staffing challenges and school budget shortfall. Board of Assessors member Andy Myers presented a FY 27 budget request of $55,225, noting that if the Principal Assessor position cannot be filled, the town could face costs up to $99,405 for contracted
Chester library board approves vendor switch and facility upgrades, welcomes new trustee. The Hamilton Memorial Library Board of Trustees voted to change material vendors to Barnes & Noble, which offers discounts of 30 percent on orders of $1,000 and above and 25 percent on $500 and above, as Baker
Hamilton Memorial Library trustees address frozen-pipe repairs and seek grant funding. Chair Karen Savoy convened the board on February 11 with members Linda Koske, Mary Ann Pease, Tammy Merenda, Maureen Surnier, and Lee Myers present. The trustees unanimously approved November 2025 minutes 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
Chester Select Board establishes Open Space Plan Committee and appoints registrars. The board voted to create the Open Space Plan Committee, which will detail recreational activities allowed on town land and position the town for specific grants, with Liz Massa serving as director of Parks and
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
Select Board approves three motions unanimously at March 23 session. The Board appointed Bob Daley and Veronica Marr to the Open Space Plan Committee, authorized PVPC to submit the FY26 Community Development Block Grant application jointly with Huntington covering water main engineering design,