A letter from Select Board member Heather Chase

Last Updated on February 15, 2021 by The Chester Telegraph

To learn even more about Heather Chase, click here
to join her for one of two Zoom Town Halls.

To view a video interview with Heather Chase, click here.

February 4, 2021

Chester Residents:

Thank you for the opportunity to serve our wonderful community. I have had the pleasure of
living in Chester for 19 years and serving as a Select Board member for the past 6 years.
I am running for re-election for another 3 year term. I feel my energy, commitment to Chester
and my knowledge of town government allows me to contribute to the vibrancy and future of our community.

The past 6 years has provided me with experience working collaboratively with a diverse board,
the citizens of Chester, and two town managers. This has taught me a great deal about town management,
budgeting and infrastructure development. My skills as a small business owner and health care provider
transfer to working on the Board. I listen well, work constructively with others, and don’t hesitate
to respectfully voice my views. I have enjoyed engaging in conversation with fellow board members and
citizens. In addition, difficult times, like the ones we are living through, call for proven
leadership and experience in government. I deliver this.

Below I have outlined, my town leadership positions, accomplishments of the board, and future items
that the Board will be addressing.

Town leadership positions:

• Vice Chairman of the Select Board since 2017
• Chairman of the Board of Civil Authority (BCA)
• Chairman of the Town Manager Search Committee (2019-2020)

Following is a small list of accomplishments that the board and town management have achieved
in the past 6 years and by no means do I alone take “credit” for any accomplishment as all board
members work together with the Town Manager to make decisions and move Chester forward.

• Introduced and adopted a Conflict of Interest Policy
• Upgrade and improvement of the Water System ($4M funded at a -1% rate)
• Adopted a Salvage Yard Ordinance and increased funding for the Zoning Administrator
  position for oversight and enforcement
• Support of the Chester Townscape: further beautifying our community
• Passing of the new Public Safety Building and upgrading of the Public Works Building
• Provided support for Historic Preservation: Library, Chester Academy, Yosemite Fire House, Jeffrey Barn
  and the Town Hall. The Budget now has a funded line item specific for Historic Preservation
• Lowering of the speed limit near the High School with increase electric speed limit signs
• Marketing Plan (why it is so nice to live, work and recreate in Chester!)
• Master Plan (Village Center focus)
  • Canopy plan (all those new trees)
  • New sidewalk project starts 2021
  • Pocket parks (1 complete, 2 in progress)
  • New Chester signage

One of the major responsibilities of a Select Board Member is to oversee the town budget.

• Within the past 6 years the budget and thus taxes have remained stable.
• 2020 budget surplus of over 300K. Attributed the Boards and Town Management’s rapid response
  to COVID-19 Pandemic. This will be applied to debt reduction, purchasing equipment without financing
  and to establish a reserve fund.
• The establishment of the reserve fund has been advised by our auditors.

Future major issues the Select Board will be addressing:

• Reviewing of Policies and Procedures including those pertaining to Policing and the New Public Safety Building:
  Although I am not an expert on this, if elected to my 3^rd term I will enthusiastically learn more about this area of town government.
• Cannabis sales in Chester. My inclination is to support this measure. However, I understand the devil is in the details.
  In the near future the Chester Board will have meetings to discuss this and I look forward to hearing from voters.
  In addition, Governor Scott has formed a committee to address the rules and regulations surrounding Cannabis sales.
  Therefore, it is premature to have a final opinion.

Get out and VOTE!!!! Ballots will be available February 10 and the Town Report is available on February 12! Vote on March 2 at Town Hall
or request an absentee ballot or vote early!

Sincerely,

Heather Chase