The following Elective Offices are open for 2024:
 
Town Moderator – one-year term
Selectboard – two – one-year terms
                             one - three-year term
Trustee of Public Funds – one - three-year term

Trustees of the Whiting Library – three - three-year terms
                                                                       one – one-year term of an unexpired three-year term
GMUSD Director – two – three-year terms
 
Petition forms for the above positions are available at the Town Clerk’s Office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you have any questions, you can call the Town Clerk’s Office at 802-875-2173.
 
Petitions must have 25 – 30 signatures and they are due back in the Town Clerk’s Office by January 29, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
 
(Petitions to have an article on the town meeting warning must have 120 – 130 signatures and are due back in the Town Clerk’s Office by January 18, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.)
 
 

The Stone Village Art Guild, in cooperation with the First Universalist Parish of Chester, will hold a Fine Art and Craft Fair on Saturday December 9th, from 10-4 at the First Universalist Parish. The Fair will feature Fine Art, including Watercolors, Oil and Pastels by local artists. Crafts, Sweater Style mittens that Bernie would be proud to wear, fabric baskets, jewelry, ornaments, and a Bake Sale will also be available.

The First Universalist Parish is located in the Historic Stone Village at 211 North St, in Chester VT. For more information, contact Melody at 802-875-5414 or email [email protected].

Fifth Annual
Empty Bowl Dinner
Saturday, November 18, 2023
4:30-7:00
American Legion Hall
635 VT RT 103 Chester
Your Soup Meal is By Donation and includes a hand painted ceramic bowl.
All donations support our Food Shelf and Financial Assistance Program. 
Listen to live music by guest folk singer, Vinnie DiBernardo,
Bid on our Silent Auction items.
Take a chance on our famous Raffle Baskets.
Fashion show featuring your friends and perhaps your neighbor “rocking” CAFC Thrift Shop Apparel.
You do not want to miss this event. 
Thank you to our sponsors
Endless Creations Pottery
M&T Bank
One Credit Union
Chester American Legion

The Chester Andover Family Center, a 501c3 charitable organization, is currently seeking a part-time General Manager to lead all aspects of our Thrift Shop. We are located on VT RT 103S in Chester VT. The Family Center makes a difference in our community by providing resources for financial assistance, supplemental nutritional food, affordable clothing and household goods. Thrift Shop revenue supports our Food Shelf, Financial Assistance Program and keeps the lights on in our building. The Thrift Shop Manager will work with volunteers in a supportive and inclusive environment where respect for customers, clients and each other reflects and serves our mission.

The Thrift Shop Manager will work 25-30 hours per week. Thrift Shop Hours will be Wednesday through Friday 10AM – 4PM and Saturday 10AM – 2PM. We are offering $25 per hour.

​For a complete job description visit our website at www.chester-andoverfamilycenter.org
Resumes and inquiries should be sent to [email protected]

This is the final week for Vermont residents affected by July’s severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides to apply for FEMA assistance.
The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. October 31.
If you had storm-related expenses and live or own a business in Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham or Windsor County, you should apply as soon as possible. FEMA assistance can provide grants and U.S. Small Business Administration loans for housing, home repairs and other disaster-related needs.
To apply, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply.
To apply in person, visit the Disaster Recovery Center in Barre, where FEMA specialists can answer questions, help upload documents and refer you to available resources. The center is open at:
Alumni Hall Building, Third Floor, 16 Auditorium Hill, Barre, VT 05641
Hours of operation this week are:
October 24-25: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
October 26-29: closed
October 30: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
October 31-November 3: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
FEMA is committed to ensuring disaster assistance is accomplished equitably, without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the FEMA Civil Rights Office if they feel that they are the victim of discrimination. FEMA’s Civil Rights Office can be contacted toll-free at 833-285-7448. Multilingual operators are available.

WILLISTON, Vt. —  More than two months after the July 7-21, 2023, severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides, some affected residents in Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor counties may still be looking for answers. FEMA’s Individual and Households Program provides eligible survivors with financial assistance and direct services.
Since the presidential major declaration on July 14, thousands of Vermonters have already filed an application. Some may receive a letter stating that their claim is ineligible for assistance. If you receive that letter, you may be able to change the outcome. Many times, it’s a simple fix. An application is often ineligible because additional information is needed.

The deadline to apply for assistance is October 12, 2023.

Here are some tips to consider when appealing a FEMA ineligible determination.

• Tip 1: Know your deadline.

You have 60 days from the date of your FEMA determination letter to make an appeal in writing. Once FEMA reviews your letter, you may receive a phone call or a follow-up letter asking for more documentation.

• Tip 2: Understand why FEMA deemed your claim ineligible before writing the appeal.

Read FEMA’s letter from beginning to end to see why FEMA determined your application was ineligible. It’s often as simple as a missing document, which you can submit with your appeal letter.

• Tip 3: Include evidence to support your appeal.

Write a letter to explain why you disagree with FEMA’s decision, and strengthen your claim by including documentation that supports what you outline.
Some documents you may want to include:
To verify ownership, homeowners may provide any of these documents:
The original deed, title, deed of trust to the property, or official record
Mortgage payment booklet or other mortgage documents such as a late-payment notice, mortgage summary or escrow analysis
Property tax receipt or bill
Manufactured-home certificate or property title
Structural property insurance documentation
Real Estate Provision
Contract for Deed
Land Installment Contract
Quitclaim Deed
Receipts for major repairs or improvements
Letter from a public official that includes your name, damaged home address, how long you’ve lived there, and the name and telephone number of the official.
If you own a mobile home, travel trailer, or own your home via heirship and don’t have traditional documentations, you may self-certify ownership along with one of the following documents:
Copy of Title or Deed
Death Certificate and Will
Affidavit of Heirship; only when consistent with state or tribal government law
Will or testament naming the applicant as heir to the property
Bill of Sale or Bond for Title
Tax payment in the deceased owner’s name
Court appointment of an administrator to the estate
Documents must be dated within one year of the disaster. If you received FEMA assistance for the same address from a previous disaster, you only need to verify ownership once.
To verify occupancy, homeowners and renters may provide any of these documents:
Utility bill, bank or credit-card statement, or phone bill
Employer’s statement
Written lease agreement
Rent receipt
Public official’s statement
Motor vehicle registration
Letter from local school, federal or state benefit provider, or social service organization
Court documents
Signed statement from a commercial or mobile home park owner
Self-certification for a mobile home or travel trailer

• Tip 4: Include your application number on every page of the documents you submit.
• Tip 5: Can’t write the appeal yourself? Authorize someone to write it for you.

If you are the applicant and are unable to write an appeal letter yourself, ask someone to write it for you. Consider asking a family member, friend or a lawyer. Just be sure to provide FEMA with a signed statement saying the writer is authorized to act on your behalf.
To learn more, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service when you call.

• Tip 6: Don’t forget to sign your appeal letter.
• Tip 7: There are three ways to submit your appeal:

Fax to 800-827-8112
Mail to: FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
Upload to your DisasterAssistance.gov account

• Tip 8: Expect a decision letter from FEMA within 90 days.

The deadline to apply for assistance is October 12, 2023. To apply, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

​FEMA is committed to ensuring disaster assistance is accomplished equitably, without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the FEMA Civil Rights Office if they feel that they are the victim of discrimination. FEMA’s Civil Rights Office can be contacted at 833-285-7448. Multilingual operators are available.

For the latest information on Vermont’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4720. Follow the FEMA Region 1 account on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion1, the FEMA Facebook page at facebook.com/FEMA, or Vermont Emergency Management on Twitter at twitter.com/vemvt and on Facebook at facebook.com/VermontEmergencyManagement.

On July 14, President Biden approved Governor Scott’s request for a major disaster declaration for Vermont to assist in recovery from a historic flood event of July 7-12, 2023. In the coming days and weeks, FEMA will be performing a Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) to determine the State and County level of Public Assistance (PA) and Individual Assistance (IA).  See the Damage Assessment Quick Guide attached for more information on the PDA process.

The determination depends, in part, on the level and extent of impact and damage sustained by the community. Residents and Businesses that have been impacted and incurred damage are asked to report to the State to assist in this effort through a resident or business form that can be found here: https://vermont211.org/ . Your reporting is encouraged as it will aid in the disaster assessment and FEMA application process.

The Town of Andover participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which means that certain regulations must be followed after a flooding event in order to benefit from the FEMA assistance programs. Towns will be working directly with the Regional Planning Commissions, State and FEMA in conducting PDAs and determining needed Public Assistance for emergency storm and recovery repairs to public infrastructure.
 
The Individual Assistance program helps individuals impacted by the disaster seek reimbursement for necessary expenses and needs that cannot be met through insurance or other forms of assistance. Available funding for our county under the Individual Assistance Program is pending a Formal Damage Assessment. Counties included under this declaration will be determined following the PDA.
While assessments are underway, Individual/Residents, including those underinsured or noninsured, can begin to prepare for an application for Individual Assistance to cover uncovered expenses or unmet needs after insurance settlements.
 
Preparing and Applying for Individual Assistance:
 
First:  Be sure to file a claim with your existing insurance provider(s) as soon as possible (flood, homeowners, renters, auto). Those with National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies can obtain guidance here. You do not have to file your claim prior to applying for FEMA disaster assistance, but you will be required to provide FEMA your insurance settlement or denial before being considered for certain types of assistance.
 
Second:  It is important to document damage before starting cleanup and prepare for inspection. An insurance adjuster will assess flood damages to your home, either in person or remotely. Make sure you take photos and videos of your flood-related damage before throwing out items or discarding the carpet. Hold off on permanent repairs at this stage. Other helpful tips for documenting cleanup and repair.
 
Third:  Review the Individual Assistance Programs  and check your eligibility.
 
Individual Assistance  includes the following Programs:

• Individuals and Households Program (IHP);
• Crisis Counseling Program
• Disaster Case Management
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance
• Disaster Legal Services
• Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Fourth:  Apply for FEMA Assistance through Survivors Road to Recovery
 
For Farmers:
USDA Disaster Assistance Recovery Tool
USDA Local Farm Service Center
 
For Business Owners:
Vermont’s Disaster Recovery Guide for Businesses
FEMA’s Road to Recovery-Apply to SBA
 
Important: Before You Begin Repairs all property owners should check with local building officials to determine which permits for repairs are required before beginning the work. Communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) require town officials make Substantial Damage Determinations per local floodplain-management ordinances. Substantial Damage, as defined by FEMA, applies to a structure in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) for which the total cost of repairs is 50 percent or more of the structure’s market value before the disaster occurred. If a building in a floodplain is determined by the local official to be substantially damaged, it must be brought into compliance with local floodplain management regulations, such as elevating a structure in a SFHA.
 
Other helpful information can be found through Vermont Flood Ready Quick Links for After a Flood

​Please see HERE for a copy of road closures/Openings as of 6:00 p.m. this evening for Town of Chester roads only and does not include State Highways such as Route 11 and Route 103.  The Town cannot provide a status on State Highways as their status is affected by multiple towns.  Please note that many roads are labeled as passable, but are often only 1 lane. 

If you do not need to be on these roads, please stay off them.  For those who are being patient, we greatly appreciate it.  Chester has 102 miles of road with 97 of those miles dirt road.  ALL roads within town limits have been impacted in some way.  It takes significant time to assess these roads to a level necessary to announce their status.  All crews are working very hard to open these roads as quickly as possible.

​ We will try to announce when roads begin to open.  However, if you have questions regarding a road status, please call town hall at 875-2173.  We are not regularly monitoring Facebook questions or comments. 

Thank you all again for your patience and consideration of the time that it will take to rebuild the infrastructure of our town. 
Julie Hance, Town Manager

The Whiting Library is celebrating National Library Week April 23-29. Libraries are full of stories in a variety of formats from picture books to large print, audiobooks to ebooks, and more. But there's so much more to the story. Libraries of Things lend items like museum passes, take away bins, cake pans, and garden tools. Library programming brings communities together for entertainment, education, and connection through book clubs, storytimes, lectures and other opportunities. Library infrastructure advances communities, providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for businesses, job seekers, and entrepreneurs.

Come into the library for National Library Week and put your name into a raffle to win a puzzle for book lovers. The library trustees are holding a Fill-a-bag Book Sale Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29 in the Book Sale room. Fill a provided grocery bag from Smitty’s Chester Market for only $5! All proceeds go to benefit the library’s collection and programs. 

For upcoming library events, please visit our website, www.whitinglibrary.org or by calling 802-875-2277.

The First Universalist Parish of Chester, located in Chester’s Historic Stone Village, welcomes all to our community soup fundraiser on Saturday, January 14th. We will be serving in house or take out between 12 noon and 6:00 PM. The menu includes soup or chili, salad, crusty bread, nuts, beverage and dessert.
Church members are doing the cooking and promise a variety of soups and desserts to satisfy every palate. Hearty, vegan and gluten free options will be available.
​
So, give the family chef a night off and join us for supper in our community room or have us pack you carry-out meals for the whole family. At $15.00 per meal, this is a delicious, affordable treat.
The First Universalist Parish of Chester is located at 211 N St (RT 103) in Chester, Vermont. For more information, contact [email protected]

What do I do if an animal bites me or my pet?

• Contact your doctor and Town Health Officer and follow their instructions.
• Wash the bite wound well with soap and running water.
• Try to capture the animal only if you can do it without getting bitten again. You are more likely to need rabies shots if the animal cannot be found. If the animal is wild, contact the Rabies Hotline or a Game Warden.

Call your veterinarian if you believe your pet was exposed to a potentially rabid animal; they will be able to decide if your pet is at risk for rabies and tell you what steps to follow next.
For more information on rabies exposure, visit the CDC website.
 
How can I help prevent rabies in my pet and myself?
Do not touch or pick up unfamiliar or wild animals – even baby animals – or try to feed them or make them into pets. Report unknown or strangely behaving animals to your town's animal control officer. If the animal is wild, contact the Rabies Hotline or a Game Warden.
Make sure trash cans and recycling bins are tightly closed, and do not leave pet food outside. Feed pets inside the house and keep pets indoors at night. If they are out during the day, keep them on a leash or within a closed space. Pets that roam free are more likely to be exposed to a rabid animal. Make sure that all family pets get rabies shots and keep shots up to date. Animals can be vaccinated by a veterinarian or at a rabies clinic.
For more information on rabies in domestic animals visit the CDC website.
What should I do if I find a bat in my house?
If you find a bat in your room after waking up, or if you find a bat in a room with a person or animal who may not recognize the risk – like a child, a person with a cognitive disability, an intoxicated person, or a pet – call your doctor or veterinarian.
Do not release the bat if it might have come in physical contact with a person or an unvaccinated pet. Instead, follow these steps:

• Call 1-800-4-RABIES for assistance.
• Only try to capture the bat if you can do it without getting bitten.
• When the bat lands, approach it slowly while wearing gloves and place a box over it.
• Slide cardboard under the container to trap the bat inside.
• Tape the cardboard to the container securely.
• Game Wardens, animal control officers, nuisance wildlife trappers, and Town Health Officers may be able to help capture bats.

If you're certain that no people or pets have been in direct contact with the bat, confine it to a room and leave a window open to allow it to exit to the outdoors. If the bat doesn't leave, call the Rabies Hotline or a pest management company for assistance on how to remove the animal from your home.
For more information about bats and rabies, visit the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and CDC websites.

Summer has arrived in Vermont and with the sunshine and long days come many fun activities at Whiting Library. The theme for the 2022 Summer Reading Program is “Oceans of Possibilities”. Kids of all ages can sign up to participate and record their reading progress and enter to win raffle tickets for great prizes! Summer reading is critical, not only for helping kids maintain learning while school is out, but also for fostering social-emotional development, discovering the joy of stories, and elevating the importance of lifelong learning. Summer reading is fun at Whiting Library, with a variety of reading challenge options for kids to choose from, and weekly Story Time at 11am on Fridays to read and play together. All kids who sign up will also receive a free book of their choice from the library book sale room!

The Nature Museum will once again offer a series of incredible nature programs in the library backyard this summer. On seven consecutive Wednesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m, starting June 22nd, an environmental educator from The Nature Museum will introduce children of all ages to the wonders of the natural world through demonstrations, games, and crafts. This year there will be programs on beavers, bats, black bears, owls, pollinators, animal migration, and of course- building fairy houses!  Geared toward ages pre-k through elementary grades, all ages are welcome. Programs will be 45 minutes long with dedicated time for a story reading and any nature-related questions you may have for the expert educators. No registration is necessary. Programs will be outdoors with lots of space for everyone, and inside during inclement weather. Join us to unplug, discover, and learn!
​
You can find out more about the Summer Reading Program and everything that is happening at Whiting Library on our website, www.whitinglibrary.org, or give us a call at 875-2277. Stop on by during our open hours, we have air conditioning and lots of comfy places to read, chat, and play!

June 14, 2022 – The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is receiving reports from across the state of black bears seeking food in yards, outbuildings, and livestock enclosures this spring.  Many of these situations can be prevented if people take steps to make their backyards bear-safe before a bear shows up.
 
Bears—and people—are at risk when bears spend time in human-dominated landscapes.  And every time a bear finds an easy meal of birdseed, compost, or unsecured garbage, they are learning a dangerous association between people and food.  Coexisting with bears starts with you taking the following steps to help keep bears wild:
​

• Birdfeeders are a big problem!  Take down birdfeeders until December.  You can attract birds by planting bird friendly native plants instead—check out Audubon’s Native Plants for Birds Program: https://www.audubon.org/native-plants
• Make your garbage inaccessible.  Store garbage in a secure structure and a bear proof container.  Learn how to make your garbage can bear proof here: https://vtfishandwildlife.com/sites/fishandwildlife/files/documents/Learn%20More/Living%20with%20Wildlife/Living%20with%20Bears/bear-resistant-retrofit-polycart.pdf
• Dispose of garbage frequently.  If you have pick-up services, wait until the morning to put your garbage out.
• Demand bear proof dumpsters for your community. 
• Follow steps for composting in bear country.  Compost needs to be 3 parts brown materials to 1 part kitchen scraps, turned frequently, and kept in a sturdy tumbler or bin: https://vtfishandwildlife.com/node/260
• Use electric fencing to keep chickens and bees safe.  Fences need to be 4,000-6,000 volts, tested regularly and baited: https://vtfishandwildlife.com/node/1996
• Clean your grill after every use.
• Make bears feel uncomfortable in your yard.  Yell, bang pots and pans, or use other noise devices from inside your home.  Never shoot a bear to scare it.  Even BBs can seriously injure bears.
• Please report your bear encounters to Vermont Fish & Wildlife.  These reports allow us to help you prevent future bear incidents.  They also give us information to help all Vermonters better coexist with bears: https://anrweb.vt.gov/FWD/FW/WildlifeBearReport.aspx 

 
Following these steps can save bears' lives, and help protect you, your neighbors, and your property.  Please do your part to be a good neighbor and help keep Vermont's bears wild! 
 
If you have questions, contact the Vermont Fish and Wildlife department at 802-828-1000, or [email protected].

Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 3 p.m. at 117 Main St. Whiting Library celebrates National Foster Care Month with a special family story hour. This event combines the library’s usual monthly kid’s book clubs to focus on learning about foster care, adoption, and family differences. Youth Services Librarian, Carrie King, will do a read aloud from books that engage kids and get them learning about foster care. The library will have a collection of relevant books available for check out about foster care and adoption. Books help children better understand different families, so that children in foster care aren’t left out or secluded for their differences or traumas. 
​
Special guest Michelle Springer-Blake, a Recruitment and Retention Specialist for the Department for Children and  Families, will join the group to discuss how attendees can support foster care in Vermont. Springer-Blake encourages all families in the community to come and learn about foster care at the library, “I think if we can collaborate and share the love of reading, children, and families, together we can make a difference in our world a little at a time!” Everyone who loves story time will enjoy this event, and Springer-Blake will be on hand to answer questions for those who want to know more about becoming involved in foster care. 

​April 25, 2022
Dear Voters of Windsor District 3-1,
After much consideration, I have made the difficult decision not to seek re-election to the Vermont House of Representatives. Serving in the State Legislature and representing my constituents from the towns of Chester, Andover, Baltimore and North Springfield for the past 6 years has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am deeply grateful for the confidence which you have placed in me.

As you may be aware, Mariette and I have been in the process of moving to Colchester to be close to family, while still maintaining a residence here in Chester. While I have chosen not to seek re-election, I will continue to serve you as your representative in the remaining months of my term.

I am proud of the work done while serving 6 years in the legislature. My focus has always been improving the lives of Vermont's families and helping rural economies and communities thrive; committed to a Vermont that works for all of us.

To continue this commitment, it gives me great pleasure to enthusiastically endorse Heather Chase as my successor. I have known Heather for many years; we served together as members on the Chester Selectboard. I know her to be conscientious, caring and hard working in dealing with the demands of public office. Her involvement in the community as Selectboard Vice Chair has provided her with the knowledge and experience necessary to represent our interests in Montpelier.

As a small business owner, she understands the struggles that face small businesses and can work toward promoting sustainable, economic growth in our communities. She will work toward promoting jobs and fair wages to make Vermont more attractive and affordable to young families.
​
Redistricting has placed Chester along with Grafton, Athens and Windham in a new district. I hope you will join me in voting for Heather Chase for State Representative representing this new Windsor/Windham district.
Again, thank you to all who have supported me.
Yours truly,
Representative Thomas Bock
[email protected]

Chester, VT- Saturday, May 7, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 117 Main St. Whiting Library will be throwing our 3rd annual Green Up Day celebration. Fun for all ages! You can make a difference to the environment and in our community by volunteering to pick up roadside litter. Come to the library on this day to get an official green bag to collect trash, plant or pick up seeds, and get some books. Our local Green Up Day is organized by the Chester Conservation Committee. Bags are also available at Town Hall, Erskines, and Chester Hardware and can be disposed of in the dumpster at the Chester Town Garage.

At our Green Up Day celebration, the library will have a seed planting workstation, with all the supplies and knowledge you need to plant your own sunflower seeds. The community seed library, sponsored by Mountain Valley Climate Action, is also freshly stocked! There is a wide variety of seeds packets available for you to take home and plant. You can also bring extra seeds from your garden to exchange. Whiting Library is thrilled that the MVCA seed library is available year-round for all our local gardeners. 

A selection of books from the library’s basement book sale will also be outside for sale by donation at this May 7th event. The book sale room is overflowing so please come support the library by shopping! All donations go towards buying new materials and supplies for the library.
​
We are looking forward to seeing you at the library for Green Up Day! Remember to stay safe when collecting trash: wear bright colors, bring a friend, watch out for sharps, be COVID cautious, and do a tick check. Thank you for brightening up our town!