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BOS Accepts Proposed Charter

After 11 months of research, meetings, and public hearings, the Chester Charter Commission’s final report and the proposed charter were formally accepted 2 -1 by the Chester Board of Selectmen (BOS) on May 7, marking a “historic” day and a milestone for Chester, according to First Selectman Cindy Lignar.

Voters will be able to decide on what may serve as the town’s new constitution on Election Day in November. The document outlines a new set of “organizational powers, functions, and essential procedures” for its government structure.

In a statement to the Valley Courier, Lignar praised the tireless work of the Charter Commission in crafting the legal document, as well as their “caring consideration of public and Selectmen recommendations” along its creation. The commission was officially dissolved following the acceptance of the proposed charter.

“The Board of Selectmen sincerely thanks the Chester Charter Commission for dedication to detail, diligence, and persistence,” said Lignar. “The end result is a thoroughly researched, well-crafted legal and honorable document that potentially will serve as Chester’s constitution.”

Lignar added, “It’s a historic process and opportunity for Chester, and we’re glad that it’s moving forward.”

The BOS will set the official question on whether or not to adopt the charter as the town’s constitution within 60 days of Election Day which is on Nov. 5.

In the meantime, Lignar said she hopes the referendum will go through and the charter is officially adopted by the town, telling the Valley Courier “there’s many benefits to the town for having a charter.”

“I do think it will benefit Chester. I think it’s the right form of government for Chester now making sure that we’re the right form of government for the future,” she said.

Richard Strauss, the chair of the Charter Commission, reflected on the nearly yearlong process of crafting the charter, which involved almost 40 meetings to discuss the myriad of issues, positions, and information from the public, the town, and officials from municipalities in Connecticut with their experience of operating a charter government.

“The commission was a great group,” Strauss said. “They worked really hard. It was a great experience to go through the process, and they were able to reach consensus and also be flexible while upholding the principles upon which they based the framework for the governance structure for the town that the charter is based on.”

With the commission’s work complete and its status dissolved, “now it’s up to the people you know to see whether this is the right direction,” said Strauss.

“While it’s a significant change, it preserves many of the features of the current current government and the balances, especially in the financial accountability area, while putting more balance into the Board of Selectmen having some ways to appeal to the town meeting on financial actions that are challenged by the Financial Accountability Board. All of which, I think, will help to have those responsible for the financial side of the business reach consensus on things that are in the best interest of the town.”

The charter will be published in its entirety in an issue of the Valley Courier within the next 30 days. A PowerPoint presentation of the charter and its 11 articles is available on the town’s website at www.chesterct.org/charter-commission, under the side tab “Final Proposed Charter—Overview of Articles 05 01 24.”