Boards, Committees & Commissions

The following list gives a brief description of Chester's Boards, Committees and Commisions and members' names.

Board of Assessment Appeals:

Bruce Watrous, Chairman
Dudley Clark, Jr.
Daniel Watts

This board is designed to serve as an appeal body for taxpayers who believe the town erred in the valuation of their property or erroneously denied them exemptions.
     The Board of Assessment Appeals meets in March for Real Estate and Personal Property each year. To file an appeal the taxpayer must make written application on or before February 20; appear, or has his or her attorney or agent appear, before the Board at one if its meetings; and answer all questions concerning his or her taxable property in the town. Application forms are available upon request in the Assessor's Office or on the town website. For appeals of Motor Vehicle assessments the Board meets in September, annually.
     It is the duty of the three elected members of the Board to process each appeal by reviewing the property in question to determine whether the assessment should be reduced, raised or left unchanged. The Board, as required by law, notifies each taxpayer in writing as to the action taken in response to the appeal.

Board of Education: (Web site)

Pamela Christman, Chairman
Carol Johnson
Suzanne Rathbun Fetter
Ellen Beardsley
Amy Conderino
Laurie Rubinow
Wendy C. King
Judith Dona
Charles DellaRocco

At the start of every school year, the Chester Board of Education establishes a set of goals and operational objectives that guide our work. At the same time, all region boards worked with the superintendent, staff, parents, students and other members of the community to build a vision for our education system that is long-lasting and leads to development of a new long-range plan. The board focuses on continual improvement in the educational program, balanced with budget considerations,

Board of Finance:

Jennifer Wislocki, Chairman
John Brodzinski
Christian Johnson
Virginia Carmany
Richard Morrow
David Cohen

Alternates:
Edmund Meehan
Richard Nankee
Kim Just
Henry Krempel

This board oversees the raising and expending of the Town's revenues. During the year we review actual performance against the budget, approve bills, and make or recommend adjustments to the budget as necessary. Each year, working with the Board of Selectmen, we review the annual budget request of each commission, board, and department. Once the Board of Selectmaen recommends an expense budget, we determine the corresponding revenue requirement and recommend the balanced budget to Town meeting. Once the Town's voters pass the budget, we set the mil rate such that the Town has sufficient funds to support the approved budget. We are always looking to improve the efficiency of the Town's government, and to increase revenues.

Board of Selectmen:

Thomas E. Marsh, First Selectman
Bruce H. Watrous
Martin L. Heft

The Town of Chester is governed by the Board of Selectmen - Town Meeting form of government. This uniquely New England governmental structure has changed over the centuries but the core functions have remained essentially the same. In the 1600's the Board of Selectmen exercised the general power to superintend the concerns of the town. That is still true today, however some of the specific duties have evolved. In the early days the Selectmen, among other things, insured that the town boundaries were properly marked and had the Selectmen met twice a year with the Justices of the Peace, grand jurors, constables and tithing men to consult about the suppression of profaneness vice and immorality (some may argue that these duties should return!). From 1714 to 1798 the Selectmen and justices of the peace were required to inspect local schools once every quarter year and inquire into qualifications of the master, the proficiency of the children and give needful directions to increase knowledge, civility and religion.
     Today the Board of Selectmen acts as the executive branch of Town government. Many of the other functions now fall to various Boards and Commissions that report to the Board of Selectmen. For example, the Board of Finance is responsible for the financial administration of the Town, including preparing the annual budget and setting the mil rate. The Town Meeting is the legislative body of the Town and is open to all registered voters and property owners.

Cable TV Advisory Council

Vacancy
Vacancy

Cedar Lake Advisory Committee:

Vacancy, Chairman
Denise Learned
Harvey Redak
Peter Auster
Steven Merola

The Cedar Lake Advisory: manages and monitors the condition of Cedar Lake.

Central Regional Tourism District

Vacancy

Citation Hearing Officers

Lawrence DiBernardo
Michael McCulley
Peter Zanardi
Elizabeth Perreault
Vacancy

Community Decommissioing Advisory Committee

Vacancy
Vacancy

Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency

Sally Leigh Murray
Vacancy

Connecticut River Estuary Transit District

Leslie B. Strauss

Connecticut River Gateway Commission

Margaret Wilson
Martha Wallace, Alternate

Conservation Committee:

Michael Prisloe, Chairman
Margot D. Burns
Peter Auster
Lee Sharp
Richard Holloway
Claudia Van Nes
Errol Horner

This commission consists of seven members appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The commission's responsibilities include development and maintenance of an open space inventory for the town, which was completed last year. The commission also may inventory and study the town's natural resources and make recommendations concerning their conservation and best uses to other town boards, commission and officials.

Economic Development Commission:

Patrick Woomer, Chairman
Macon Toledano
Jeanette Caron
Dawn Williams
Michael Sanders
Laurel Johnson
Skip Haskins

The Economic Development Commission (EDC) aims to foster Chester's economic vitality by attracting and retaining businesses that benefit those who live or work in Chester. We invite everyone with an interest in doing business in Chester— whether as a provider of products or services, as a developer, or as a customer or client—to contact a member of our Commission and express your needs or suggestions.

Emergency Management

Joel Severance, Director
Bruce Bickford, Deputy
Vacancy, Deputy

Fire Commission:

Joel Severance, Charirman
Charlene Janecek
John Divis
Pete Zanardi
Richard Schreiber

Ex Officio:
Bernie Negrelli
Thomas Marsh
Charles Greeney, Jr., Chief

We are actively participating in regional emergency response planning. With our new affiliation with Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Region 2 Emergency Management Planning Working-group, we do provide input from our small, Connecticut River Valley perspective.

GIS Study Committee

Michael Prisloe, Conservation Commission
Vacancy, Conservation Commission
Lisa C. Wahle, Inland Wetlands Commission
Virgil Lloyd, Planning & Zoning Commission
Virginia Carmany, Board of Finance
Margo Burns, CRERPA staff
Patricia Stevenson, Assessor
Vacancy, Board of Finance

Harbor Management Commission:

Bruce Coderre
James Pinno
Edward Ward
Robert Bachand
Joel Severance
Robert Murac

Alternates:
Vacancy
Vacancy

Reviews and manages the Town's Harbor Management Plan to follow the guidelines from the Department of Environmental Protection.

Inland/Wetlands and Watercourse Agency:

Lisa Wahle, Chairman
Peter DeLisa
Sally Sanders
Albert Bisacky
Kim Senay
Vacancy
Vacancy

As all municipal wetland agencies, the Chester IWWA implements the State's Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act. The Agency's regulations and criteria for decision-making are based exclusively on the Act itself. These criteria direct the agency to consider the short and long-term effects of proposed activities on wetlands, and to seek alternatives that minimize impact while allowing property owners use of their land.

Library Board:

Edith Prisloe
Margaret Carter-Ward
Sandra Senior-Dauer
Teresa Schreiber
Molly Lund
Barbara Standke
Vacancy

The Library Board provides guidance and support for the Library, its programming, book collection, and development.

Middlesex County Revitalization Commission

Vacancy

Park and Recreation Commission:

James Ready, Chairman
Edward Hull
Sam Lindberg
Susan Hotkowski
John Williams
Jeanette Patricia Caron
Vacancy

Members of the Chester Park and Recreation Commission seek to promote healthy lifestyles through recreation, by providing parks and programs that meet the needs of all town residents, while maintaining a fiscally responsible operation. The Commission is responsible for the maintenance and renovation of 7 facilities in Chester. Most of the budget net expenditures are for park maintenance, while programs are self-funded. In addition, contributions from groups and individuals in the community have helped finance various activities.

Planning and Zoning Commission:

Michael Joplin, Chairman
Jon Lavy
Errol Horner
Lawrence Sypher
Virgil Lloyd
Sally Murray
Janet Cummings Good
Michael Sanders
Steven Tiezzi

Alternates:
Steven Merola
Lawrence Zeisner
Richard Gold

The Commission works to articulate regulations which respond to contemporary demands while also protecting our history as a community and rich heritage. It is one of the fundamental things that keeps this community vibrant and quality of life so strikingly high is the level of public interest, participation and debate at the P&Z public hearings and at Town Meetings. In the past year the Chester Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has completed a comprehensive review of the Zoning, Subdivision and Road Regulations. The committee reviews and updates existing regulations so as to respond to developing technologies, changing market conditions and the increasing demands placed on the development and use of land. As development continues, the remaining parcels are often more marginal or difficult and regulations must reflect these changing condition.

Regional Board of Education

Elaine Fitzgibbons
Lynne J. Pease
Richard Strauss

Regional Mental Health Board

Vacancy

Regional School Dist. #4 Grounds Maintenance and Oversight Committee

Vacancy
Vacancy

Retirement Board:

Van Standke, Chairman
Charlene Janecek
Jennifer Termini
David Cohen
Katherine Marsh

The Retirement Board administers three retirement plans: Town of Chester Retirement Plan for Town employees, the Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan (457) for Town employees, and the Volunteer Service Award Program (VSAP) for Members of the Chester Hose Company. The Board is responsible for plan administration and investments to fund the plans.

Road Committee

Joseph Bergonzi
Frank Ferrari
Christian Hamilton
Louis Heft
Alan Warner

Tri Town Youth Service Representative

Vacancy

Valley Shore Emergency Communications Board of Directors

John Divis
Charles Greeney Jr.

Water Pollution Control Authority:   (See web page.)

Edward Ward, Chairman
Patricia Bisacky
Tommy Englert
John King
Jim Pease

The Water Pollution Control Authority is responsible for wastewater management for the town of Chester.

Zoning Board of Appeals:

Mario Gioco, Chairman
John DeLaura
Mark Borton
James Miller
Tommy Englert

Alternates:
Justin Kronholm
Andrew Vomastek
Vacancy

This board reviews the application process and makes changes to an application to assist the residences/land owners/tenants in applying for a zoning variance. As part of a continuing process, State Statutes are reviewed governing receipt of applications, conflicts of interest for Board members, exceptional difficulty and hardship, along with general procedures for public hearings, etc. The board's goal is to make the appeal application process and proceedings user-friendly.

Top