Government
Chester opens early voting hours for November election
The Town of Chester announced early in-person voting hours at Town Hall through Oct. 29 ahead of the November election.
Section
Government
The Select Board, Finance Committee, Town Meeting and every other town board, from the meeting record.
Government · Board of Health
Board of Health approves condemnation of Route 20 property, pursues legal action on septic inspection.
The Chester Board of Health unanimously voted to condemn the residence at 166 Route 20 after the owner completed major plumbing and electrical repairs, requiring him to clear the exterior by April 1 and submit a rehabilitation plan by May 1. The board also voted unanimously to direct town counsel
Government · Planning Board
Planning Board approves cell tower equipment swaps, requires camouflage compliance.
Planning Board conditions Verizon Wireless cell tower upgrades on camouflage greenery. The board voted unanimously to require the addition of camouflage greenery to two monopole towers at 86 Route 20 and 613 Route 20 before approving special permits for equipment swaps--antennas, radio remote
Government · Cultural Council
Chester Cultural Council approves 2026 grant notifications
Chester Cultural Council approves 2026 grant notifications and revises eligibility guidelines. Chair Muriel Hall and member Carol Hepworth notified both approved and declined 2026 grant applicants, with completed paperwork due by February 3, 2026. The Council agreed to revise grant guidelines to
Government · Cultural Council
Cultural Council awards $7,614 in arts funding from 22 applications.
The Chester Cultural Council approved $7,614 in grant awards across 16 funded projects from 22 applications requesting $20,045. Chair Muriel Hall's council distributed funds from $5,700 in Massachusetts Cultural Council state support and $1,914 in local Chester Cultural Council reserves. Major
Government · misc
Water Commission reviews drainage, water lines, and Horn Pond remediation.
Chester Water Commission maps water line connections and plans access road work. Members discussed drainage, water service to the jail, and findings from excavation on Maple Street that revealed unclear line connections; Bob Daley will coordinate with Jon Tibbits to locate existing lines using curb
Government · misc
Library trustees approve prior minutes, outline summer reading program
Hamilton Memorial Library trustees finalize summer reading program and facility improvements. Chair Karen Savoy led the June 9 meeting with trustees Linda Koske, Mary Ann Pease, Tammy Merenda, and Maureen Surnier, who unanimously approved prior meeting minutes. Librarian Tammy Merenda reported the
Government · misc
Chester approves $4M operating budget, five reserve transfers totaling $99K
Chester town meeting approves $4.05M FY27 operating budget after discussion of debt service structure. The vote, moved by Jill Strong and seconded by Barbara Huntoon, includes increased compensation for most elected officials: Select Board members will earn $2,790 annually, Health Board members
Government · Select Board
Select Board approves conservation restriction on 87 acres.
Select Board approves conservation restriction protecting 87 acres on East River Road. Chair Brian Forgue moved to approve the permanent restriction, which will keep the land undeveloped except for agricultural use while providing public fishing access and excluding a 10-acre homestead; the motion
Government · Planning Board
Planning Board approves cell tower permit, schedules bylaw hearings.
The Chester Planning Board unanimously approved a Special Permit for a cell tower at 97 Old State Road that will reduce transmitter count from 15 to 6, and deferred public hearings on amendments to trailer, glamping, fence, and poultry bylaws pending consolidation of ongoing revisions. Chair Liz
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