 | The Chester-Andover Family Center would like to acknowledge and thank the community for helping us meet our goal to provide Turkeys for our Food Shelf recipients. We distributed over 100 turkeys and other food needed to put a bountiful meal on many Thanksgiving tables. The generosity of local businesses and citizens was overwhelming and gives us much to be thankful for. The CAFC Board and our many volunteers work every day to meet our mission to “make a difference in our community by providing resources for financial assistance, nutritional food, affordable clothing and household goods.” We could not do this without our many donors and supporters. Thank you. Stephanie Mahoney, CAFC Board President Carla Rumrill, CAFC Board Member and Food Shelf Manager |
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TRUCK DRIVER/EQUIPMENT OPERATOR/LABORER The Town of Chester has a full time employment opportunity available in its Public Works Department. This job is specific to the position of Truck Driver/Equipment Operator/Laborer and includes work involving heavy equipment operation, dump truck operation and snow plowing. In addition, this position performs a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled maintenance work, and operates a variety of equipment in the construction, operation, repair, maintenance and replacement of town roads and storm drain facilities and systems.
A CDL is required for all applicants. Two years of experience is preferred. Please submit Employment Application and Resume to the Chester Town Manager’s Office, 556 Elm Street, P.O. Box 370, Chester, Vt, 05143 no later than 3:00 p.m. on December 13, 2019.
The Chester-Andover Family Center, as a 501c3 Charitable Non-Profit Organization, relies on donations from local citizens, friends from “away” and businesses to fund our community based social programs. Our Food Shelf serves over one hundred families a month, providing nutritious, supplemental food. Our financial assistance program provides heating assistance and help with paying bills for necessities of daily living such as rent, electricity or car repair.
The following Elective Offices are open for 2020:
Town Moderator – one-year term Town Clerk – three-year term Town Treasurer – three-year term Selectmen – two – one-year terms one - three-year term Town Grand Juror – one-year term Agent to Defend Suits – one-year term Trustee of Public Funds – one - three-year term Trustees of the Whiting Library – two - three-year terms 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 875-2173. Petitions must have 25 – 30 signatures and they are due back in the Town Clerk’s Office by January 27, 2020 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 16, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.  Article I Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution requires that every ten years there must be an 'enumeration' of persons in the United States, commonly referred to as "The Census." For the next ten years, the numbers produced in this effort will help determine how more than 675 billion dollars will be distributed to states and localities annually through more than 65 federal programs. These programs include special education funding, school lunch programs, meals on wheels, fuel assistance, Medicare, housing rehabilitation, community economic development and revitalization block grants, early childhood education, cooperative extension offices, and more.
 The Town of Chester, Vermont, seeks an engaging, collaborative, and experienced town manager. Chester is a charming and vibrant New England community located in southern Vermont near several ski areas, including Okemo, Bromley, Killington and Stratton. The town has a thriving tourist economy as well as a strong tradition of community engagement. The town manager reports to the town’s five-member selectboard and is responsible for the town’s daily operations. The manager directly supervises approximately 25 full- and 85 part-time/seasonal employees, administers a budget of $3 million, and oversees all financial, public works, public safety, personnel, economic development, recreation, and community relations matters for the town.
 Vote YES on November 5th for a new Emergency Services Building for Fire, Police, and Ambulance services, and a completely renovated Town Garage The New Emergency Services Building
Renovating the Town Highway Garage
There will be two Public Meetings on this topic; one on September 25th and another on October 23rd
These meetings will start at 6:30 PM and be held at Town Hall There will also be an informational meeting on November 4th at 6:00 pm; a day before the bond vote  On Wednesday, September 18, from 5-7 PM, the Chester Andover Family Center invites the community to join us for an Open House event. While you may have stopped into the Thrift Shop or Food Shelf to drop off donations or shop, have you ever wondered how these programs work to serve the community? While you may have heard that we provide Financial Assistance to help struggling families make ends meet, have you ever wondered about how that program works and how it is connected to our Thrift Shop and Food Shelf?
 By Representative Tom Bock
of Andover, Baltimore, Chester, and North Springfield By the closing of the 2019 session in mid-May, the House and Senate legislators had passed 93 bills, only two of which were vetoed by Governor Scott. The rest became law on July 1, 2019 ,including the FY2020 $6.1 billion budget.
 There will be a household hazardous waste collection on WEDNESDAY, September 18 at the Springfield Transfer Station, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. for residents of Andover, Athens, Baltimore, Cavendish, Chester, Grafton, Ludlow, Plymouth, Reading, Rockingham, Springfield, Weathersfield, West Windsor, and Windsor. Sponsored by the Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District and the host town. Call 674-9235 for more information or visit www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org for a list of what to bring and what not to bring.
Four chapters of the Chester Town Plan are being amended to meet a variety of requirements from the Town of Chester and the State of Vermont. The amendments are working their way through the adoption process. As of May, 2019 they are being reviewed one chapter at a time during Select Board meetings. The chapters being amended include:
View the Select Board agendas for notice of further actions in this process.  The Pictorial History of Chester, Andover, Weston, & Londonderry is a 6X9” softbound with 142 pages containing 280 high-quality vintage photographs. Drawing on the Society’s large original glass plate negative collection as well as those from other local archives and personal collections, Society President Ron Patch has compiled a selection that will please and educate all those who are interested in local history. Scanning, design and layout has been accomplished by Society member Tom Hildreth, who, along with Patch feels they have successfully captured the sights, activities, and spirit of this area as experienced a century ago.
AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING AREA LOCATIONS for $20/Ea.: BELLOWS FALLS-Lisai’s Market CHESTER- Chester Hardware; Erskine’s Feed Store; Framery of Vermont; Lisai’s Market; Stone House Antique Center. LONDONDERRY- Mike and Tammy’s; and the Garden Market. WESTON-Weston Market Place. AVAILABLE THROUGH USPS FOR $25 Ea.: Mail check to: Chester Historical Society PO Box 118 Chester, Vermont 05143 An Alternatives Presentation Meeting for the project listed below will be held on Thursday, August 29th, 2019 beginning at 6:30 PM at the NewsBank Conference Center, located at 352 Main Street, in Chester, VT.
The recommended alternative includes removal of Bridge 62, 72, and 28 and replacement with a new bridge off-alignment. The intent of the meeting is to provide an overview of the project to Town Officials, local residents and businesses, emergency services and other interested parties. There will be a review of the existing site conditions, proposed work, and overall schedule followed by a question and answer period. Representatives from both VTrans and the Town of Chester will be available at the meeting to address public concerns about the project. A copy of the Scoping Report for this project may be seen at the office of the Town Clerk in Chester, VT or at the Structures Section of the Agency of Transportation’s office in Montpelier, VT. Electronic copies are also available online at: https://outside.vermont.gov/agency/vtrans/external/Projects/Structures/12J616 A Regional Concerns Meeting for the projects listed below will be held on Thursday, August 29th, 2019 beginning at 6:30 PM at the NewsBank Conference Center, located at 352 Main Street, in Chester, VT.
The selected alternatives include a deck replacement and a full bridge replacement with traffic maintained on temporary bridges during construction. The intent of the meeting is to provide an overview of these two projects to Town Officials, local residents and businesses, emergency services and other interested parties. There will be a review of the existing site conditions, proposed work, and overall schedule followed by a question and answer period. Representatives from both VTrans and the Town of Chester will be available at the meeting to address public concerns about the project. A copy of the Scoping Reports for these projects may be seen at the office of the Town Clerk in Chester, VT or at the Structures Section of the Agency of Transportation’s office in Montpelier, VT. Electronic copies are also available online at: https://outside.vermont.gov/agency/vtrans/external/Projects/Structures/12B580 https://outside.vermont.gov/agency/vtrans/external/Projects/Structures/16B002 The 2019 Summer edition of the Town Newsletter has been released. Copies of the Newsletter can be found at various places around town. If you would like to receive the Newsletter by mail or have it emailed to you, please call the office at 875-2173, or send an email to amie.obrien@chestervt.gov. Please see here to view this edition: Newsletter
 The Town of Chester was featured in an article in the Boston Globe on April 17, 2019. The article highlights the many reasons why people should visit Chester, like places to stay, places to eat, and things to do. Please see here to view the article- The word is out: Tiny Chester is worth a visit
At their May 16, 2018 Select Board meeting, the Select Board approved changes to the Chester Development Fund Policy. The new Policy allows for assistance to property owners located in the Village Center Designated Area with improvements to their properties. Property owners who live in this area may apply for either a mini loan, grant or combination thereof for assistance in conducting a variety of improvements to their property. These can include, but are not limited to, facade improvements, painting or tree planting and maintenance. Grants will be considered for up to $500.00 each and loans are available for up to $1,000.00 each. Total funds available are limited and applications will be reviewed upon receipt. More information and the application is available at the Town Hall or by downloading it here- Mini Grant Loan Application
On July 3, 2018, the Selectboard for the Town of Chester adopted an Ordinance for Regulating Outdoor Storage of Junk and Junk Vehicles. To view a complete copy of the adopted Ordinance for Regulating Outdoor Storage of June and Junk Vehicles please see here- Salvage Yard Ordinance 
The State of Vermont Treasurer's Office Unclaimed Property Division holds unclaimed property from forgotten bank accounts, mutual funds, uncashed checks, contents of safe deposit boxes, and more. This property is waiting to be claimed by its rightful owners. The list of unclaimed property for Chester can be found here- Unclaimed Property. The Unclaimed Property Division can be contacted by calling (800) 642-6200, or by visiting www.vermonttreasurer.gov.
 The Chester Economic Development Committee has started a brochure website as a new way to promote Chester. Please view the site by clicking here: Meet Chester Vermont
"Located in the scenic Green Mountains, Chester, Vermont is a thriving town with a strong sense of history and place. Easily accessible from I-91, we are a picturesque, engaged community providing a wide range of four-season activities making for a uniquely rich quality of life for our residents and visitors alike. Chester's Stone Village Historic District and its sweet main street and green claim spots on National Register of Historical Places. New England Travel Today recently named Chester one of the ten best antique towns in all of New England. Enjoying the outdoors comes second nature to us; we're active in our own backyards and we take advantage of our proximity to Bromley, Stratton, Magic Mountain, Mount Snow, Okemo Mountain Resort, and Killington. Lately, the buzz has revolved around our blazing fast, reasonably-priced internet speed. Lucky us, we're at the center of one of the U.S.'s fastest fiber optic cable networks in the United States making us one of the best connected communities in the nation. Whether you're visiting Chester, Vermont for the weekend or considering a move here, we're happy to show you around and give you a taste of what makes being here so special." In May 2017, the Vermont Legislature passed a bill that will change the laws pertaining to how people can obtain vital records, which include death and birth certificates. Act 46 was passed to help ensure the safety of Vermonter's information, and to help protect against identity theft. These changes went into effect on July 1, 2019.
To see how these changes will affect you, please see here: New Vital Records Law |
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