Hello, my name is Ed Meehan; I was elected to serve as Chester’s First Selectman for the two year term beginning November 22, 2011. It is an honor and privilege to serve the people of Chester.

Also elected to the Board of Selectmen were incumbents Tom Englert and Larry Sypher. Tom stepped up to serve as interim First Selectman when Tom Marsh resigned in August to pursue a career as the Town Manager for Windsor, Vermont. Former Selectman Peter Zanardi again volunteered to serve Chester and returned to the Board for the interim transitional period of August to November. Their service during Hurricane Irene and quick action to correct fire code defects at the Meeting House demonstrates how the spirit of working together makes Chester a special community.

As we begin the new term there are potential projects which will require public discussion, priority setting and Town approvals before moving forward. The projects that we will be working on include:

•	Library – The Chester Library Expansion Committee has selected the architectural firm of Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc. to prepare a conceptual study of the library’s existing conditions, prepare alternative designs for the building renovation and/or expansion and preliminary cost estimates for each alternative. If the committee and the Library Trustees select a particular plan the architect will be directed to prepare a more detailed cost estimate for further consideration.

•	Community Center – The Community Center on Middlesex Turnpike was severely damaged by a heavy snow storm on January 2011. The extent of structural damage necessitated that the 4,800 square foot building be demolished. The Town has a pending grant application for STEAP funds of $500,000, net insurance funds of $280,000 plus an additional insurance payment of $172,000 if facility replacement is completed within two years. The preliminary estimated project cost is $1,452,000 leaving a budget gap of $500,000 to be raised from local funds or additional grants. The Community Center is located next to North Quarter Park and together they are vital to the Town’s Parks and Recreation’s youth programs as well as meeting space for adult and senior activities.

•	Middlesex Turnpike Route 154 Water Line Extension – The Middlesex Turnpike Route 154 water line extension will bring Connecticut Water Company service to the Denlar Drive. An 8 inch main, approximately 650 linear feet along Middlesex Turnpike and 1,150 linear feet to the Denlar Drive cul de sac will be constructed. The purpose of the water main is to provide safe drinking water to Denlar Drive’s residential and business properties. Project engineering will be performed by the Connecticut Water Company. This project will be funded by a STEAP Grant. The schedule is to complete engineering plans this winter and bid project for Spring 2012 construction.

•	Meeting House Fire Code – On August 11, 2011, a routine Fire Code inspection of the Meeting House was conducted for the purposes of determining compliance with the State Fire Codes. Inspections of places of assembly are necessary to insure safe public occupancy. Several items were identified for corrective action which necessitated outside contractors to address. With the assistance of the Fire Marshal, the Board of Selectmen quickly moved to correct the priority code requirements that included ensuring safety of the balcony area and upgrades to emergency exit lighting. These compliance renovations were completed and re-inspected in time to permit use of the full building for the Robbie Collomore concerts on October 16th. 

•	Main Street Project Committee – The Board of Selectmen has appointed an 11 member multi-discipline Main Street Project Committee and requested their assistance in developing a plan for the reconstruction of Main Street. This project will be complicated because of the scheduled for State reconstruction of the Water Street Bridge over Great Brook and the Main Street Bridge in the Village Center. The Water Street bridge project will start in May 2012 and take six to seven months for substantial completion. The tentative schedule for the Main Street Bridge replacement is 2014. With only twelve to fourteen months between bridge projects the risk of disruption to the village’s businesses must be carefully evaluated. Funding for the Main Street improvements, estimated at $1,000,000, will necessitate an additional $600,000 from town and/or State grants, above the $419,000 now available ($219,000 Town Capital budget and $200,000 STEAP Grant). 

We are fortunate to have a committee with expertise relevant to the challenges of this complex project. Working with our business community and residents, a project will be developed and if supported by townspeople scheduled to insure the safety of the center and with as little as possible disruption to the economy of the village.