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Vote ‘No’

Chester voters have an exceptionally large stake in this year’s Nov. 5 election with a question on the ballot about adopting a charter form of government. I want to thank all the voters who came out to support my campaign in the last election. I am strongly against the charter and would have stopped it from coming to fruition, but at this moment, I can only encourage my constituents to vote “no” in November.

I’m strongly opposed to the proposed charter, which is being sold as making Chester town government more efficient. The proposed charter concentrates too much power in the hands of a few, and boards would be appointed not elected.

The net effect will further reduce the involvement of Chester citizens in their community and allow a handful of people to make major changes, including raising taxes and engaging in irresponsible spending, reducing the Chester community’s say.

Under the proposed charter – which, if passed, will take effect almost immediately – town government would change in the following ways:

From a three-person Board of Selectmen (BOS), a powerful Board of Finance (BOF), and town meeting to a five-person BOS and a powerless Financial Review Board. The charter essentially dissolves the elected BOF on Jan. 1, 2025.

Terms on the BOS would go from the current two years to four years. The BOS would hire a town administrator, who would answer to the first selectman. A town administrator is an effort to keep power in the hands of the first selectman, while passing off the bulk of the day-to-day work. Presently, Chester pays its first selectman – a political position with no training or experience required – about $100,000 a year in salary and benefits.

Chester voters should reject charter adoption by voting "no."

Ron Amara

Chester