Press release from Chester Charter Commission

The Chester Charter Commission has completed its preparation of Chester’s Draft Charter and will conduct its second public hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. at both the Chester Town Hall Office Meeting Room and via remote access. The purpose of this public hearing is for the Charter Commission to receive public comments regarding the Draft Charter for the Town of Chester.

The Draft Charter and PowerPoint presentation that will be used at the public hearing are available on the town website at chesterct.org, as well in the Town Clerk’s Office.

The Charter Commission will consider comments received at the hearing and may revise the Draft Charter before submitting it to the Board of Selectmen.

Upon receipt of the Draft Charter, the Board of Selectmen will hold its own public hearing on the Draft Charter and may approve, reject, or send it back to the Charter Commission with recommendations for revisions for the commission’s consideration.

If the Board of Selectmen approves the proposed charter, town residents will have the opportunity to vote on whether to adopt the charter in the Nov. 2024 election

The Charter Commission encourages Chester residents to attend the public hearing and provide helpful participation to the commission in preparing the final Draft Charter. For those who are unable to participate in person or virtually, input is also welcome via email at chesterchartercommission@gmail.com.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend all Charter Commission meetings in person. Check posted meeting agendas to confirm the start time and location for each meeting.

Remote access and recordings will be available for many meetings, except for Charter Drafting Workshop Sessions and others held in meeting rooms, including the Town Hall first floor lobby, that do not have remote access and recording capability.

Regular meetings will be held periodically throughout the charter drafting process to inform the public and town officials on the results of the Charter Drafting Workshop Sessions.

Immediately following the Charter Commission’s public hearing on Jan. 31, the commission will hold a meeting/drafting workshop in the Town Hall Meeting Room. On Tuesday, Feb, 13, there will be a Charter Drafting Workshop in the Town Hall first floor lobby at 6:30 p.m. There will then be another Charter Drafting Workshop in the Town Hall Meeting Room on Thursday, Feb. 29 at 6:30 p.m.