We had the honor and responsibility of serving on the Chester Charter Commission. During 40+ meetings we considered if the town needed a charter, and if so, how it should be structured. We concluded that a charter would be beneficial to the town because it was the best way (and sometimes the only way) to address the concerns the Board of Selectmen asked us to investigate: A) lack of leadership continuity from one election to the next; B) increased complexity of operating a town; and C) enfranchising more voters and improving voter engagement in town boards and commissions.
Do we need to change how the town operates? Yes. In the last election cycle all three members of our Board of Selectmen (BoS) chose not to run again, resulting in a significant loss of continuity and institutional knowledge. If the BoS were expanded to five members, as proposed in the charter, Chester would have greater continuity and expertise, and wider policy perspectives.
Do we need to hire a professional town administrator (TA)? Yes. The complexity of operating a town is increasing and finding the needed expertise within Chester’s few residents will get harder. Having a TA (who works for and reports to the Board of Selectmen) will allow us to hire (and fire) that person based on their expertise, experience, and job performance, rather than just their residence.
Can we afford to hire a town administrator? Yes. While there would be increased cost in the first year, most towns have experienced improved services and net savings by year 2 from more cost-efficient purchasing and acquiring more state grants. Would a TA have too much financial power? No. The proposed charter has improved transparency, accountability, and spending limits for the Board of Selectmen, the TA, and a reconfigured and independently-elected Financial Accountability Board (very similar to the current Board of Finance).
Does the proposed charter dis-enfranchise voters? No. Expanding the Board of Selectmen (BoS) from three to five members increases voter choice. Having the BoS hire a town administrator who reports to them does not dis-enfranchise anyone. Changing most of our other boards and commissions from elected to BoS-appointed, as proposed in the charter, does not dis-enfranchise anyone—but enfranchises the 40% of Chester voters who are un-affiliated (not registered as Republicans or Democrats). Currently, un-affiliated voters make up only 9% of the elected boards and commissions and 27% of the appointed boards and commissions.
Do you agree or disagree with the past actions of the Selectmen or other boards and commissions? Whatever your answer, we would argue, the hot issues—affordable housing, middle school emergency repairs, etc.—can be better handled if the town operates as proposed in the charter with a five-member Board of Selectmen supported by a full-time professional town administrator and more robust and inclusive boards and commissions. With such a structure, we can more proactively address issues—rather than be blind-sided by them. The proposed charter should be considered for what it is—not a referendum for or against anyone or any one decision—but a (better) structure for operating the town.
We hope you will vote “Yes” For the charter—for the future of Chester.
Mark Borton, Brian Dailey, Lol Fearon, Jesse Gnazzo, Pat Holloway, Ian McLachlan and Richard Strauss are the members of Chester’s Charter Commission