Having read the proposed Chester Charter and attended a public hearing and one of the small Q&A group sessions, we are convinced that the charter form of government is Chester’s best way forward.

As towns throughout the state have learned, town government is becoming more technically complex every day; it has become a job best done by a professionally trained administrator.

Chester is lucky to have a competent group of people running things now, but what might have happened if no one qualified wanted to step up? The charter proposes to expand the Board of Selectmen (BOS) from three to five positions to help address continuity, encourage diverse viewpoints, and provide a more nuanced view of the issues facing our town. And with a town administrator, the BOS will be able to spend more time planning than dealing with the daily routine.

The charter ensures wider electoral representation. Now, 40% of Chester residents are unaffiliated and currently under-represented on boards and commissions. With the charter, potential candidates would present resumes directly to the BOS, who would weigh the qualifications of all those interested, giving them a chance to fill what might otherwise be considered a Democratic or Republican seat.

The charter also recommends replacing the nine-member Board of Finance (BOF) with an elected five-member Financial Accountability Board (FAB). Currently, the BOF holds the purse strings for our town, and if it doesn’t like a given project, it’s dead. With the charter there will be more transparency about financial decisions as well as a path for voters to challenge them.

Our Charter Commission has worked transparently to create a thoughtful, innovative proposal for Chester. It will bring more local autonomy and voter engagement and provide continuity, which is essential to the future of the town we love.

Gail Stanton and James Paisley

Chester