CHESTER — In a six-hour marathon, Town Meeting approved a $3.4M budget but rejected $1.4 million in borrowing for repairs to Jennifer Drive, East Derry Road, Holman Way, Parker Road and Rand Drive.
About 200 people participated in Town Meeting on Wednesday, May 14.
For several hours, discussion focused on a citizen-petitioned article asking that the town's nine-member Budget Committee revert to an advisory status.
Chester voters three years ago established an official Budget Committee. The board prepares a budget for the town, has the power to require information from officials about their spending requests and recommends an operating budget to the town's legislative body, which in Chester's case is Town Meeting, said Tom LaPorte, the committee's vice chairman.
The Budget Committee can recommend or withhold recommendations on warrant articles that call for spending, LaPorte said.
An official Budget Committee reports the final budget recommendation to the state, and is responsible for holding town spending to no more than 10 percent over that recommendation, according to LaPorte.
An advisory budget panel has no such authority.
Among those supporting rejection of the article was resident Albert Hamel.
"It is a part of a proper system of checks and balances," Hamel said of the current structure. "The department heads ask for money and it's up to the selectmen, the Budget Committee and all of you at the meeting to think whether you need it or think you can afford it."
The petition ultimately failed on a paper ballot vote, leaving the powers of the Bugdet Committee unchanged.
But Chester voters weren't completely opposed to change. At the polls on Tuesday, voters approved eliminating the annual school district meeting in favor of a ballot vote on school spending articles. See the story on Page 3.
Town Meeting gave the police department a partial victory, receiving approval for two vehicles equipped with in-car cameras: $33,483 for a cruiser and $37,853 for a Ford Expedition. But voters rejected the expense of a new full-time officer.
In other votes:
Town Meeting failed to approve $275,000 to fix the Wason Pond dam.
Town Meeting approved $9,400 to help maintain and repair the barn and other farm buildings at Spring Hill Farm on Towle Road. The 400-acre farm was donated to the town following the death of Muriel Church in December 2001.
During the meeting, selectmen honored several Chester citizens for service to the town.
Fire Chief Richard Antoine received an award as an outstanding official and was congratulated for his service to the town, including implementing comprehensive training in the department, partnering with neighboring towns for back-up support, and being a big advocate for children and instilling a bike helmet program for youth.
"I couldn't do it without all the men and women who stand behind me every day," Antoine said.
Police Officer Scott Haggart and part-time Officer Lenny LeClair were recognized.
Haggart was honored for "valuable service" and LeClair for his 25 years as a part-time officer.
Chief William Burke said he has worked side by side with LeClair for many years and considers him one of his best friends.
"I trust him like a brother," Burke said.
Longtime cable television volunteers Dick and Marge Godfrey received the town's annual volunteer service awards for their combined years working behind the scenes at the local cable studio.
