The Chester Planning Task Force, made up of members from a wide range of local governmental and community interests, is currently at work on updating the Chester Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) and developing a recommended strategic plan. The state requires all towns to update their POCD every 10 years in order to set forth the community’s objectives regarding growth, development, conservation, and capital improvements, with the plan serving as a guide for local decision making over the next decade. The last POCD for Chester was updated in 2009.

As a follow up to a community survey in late 2017, the Planning Task Force will conduct public workshops on Thursday and Saturday, March 1 and 3, to craft a long-term vision for Chester and to identify priority focus areas for the POCD update. The workshops were scheduled on different days to maximize participation. Both workshops will be the same format and content, except children’s planning activities will be available Saturday morning so that families may participate. The purpose of the workshops is to provide an overview of the planning process, and obtain community input to develop strategies for areas such as future development patterns, natural resource protection, and enhancements to community facilities, transportation and recreation amenities.

The March workshops are the first of several meetings and outreach events that will be conducted throughout the process, which is expected to wrap up in the fall of 2018. Visit the website for the Chester 2018 POCD Update and Strategic Plan at www.weknowwhereitis.com to learn more about the process and how community members can participate.

Chester POCD Community Workshops

Thursday, March 1, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Camp Hazen YMCA Dining Hall, 204 West Main Street, Chester.

Saturday, March 3, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church Parish Hall, 48 Middlesex Turnpike, Chester.