By Julie Huss
CHESTER — The spring 2009 election season brings the next installment in a long line of battles for the top road job in town.
Incumbent road agent Mike Oleson goes up against a former title holder, Robert Brown, for the position and is among a list of residents hoping to be elected to various boards and committees on election day on May 12. Brown is currently serving a term on the board of selectmen.
For Brown and Oleson, next week's election is a continuation of a long battle to be the caretaker of the town's roads.
The pair first ran against each other back in 2007 when Brown sought his third term as the town's road agent after serving the town for four years. The vote was close, with Oleson winning by only 15 votes, followed by a recount with the same results. Brown was also the subject of another road agent recount vote in 2005 against challenger Dick Bellemore.
Oleson, a longtime resident and the owner of a local construction company, hopes voters give him another two years as road agent and said he's enjoyed the time on the job and feels what he accomplished served the town well.
"I've enjoyed it," he said, "It was a nice change."
Oleson said he's always been transparent with taxpayers about how their money was used to repair roads and said he's proud of the work done over the past two years, including a successful post-ice storm cleanup due to be completed in about four more days.
For challenger Rob Brown, a chance to be road agent again is something he feels strongly about and he wants to ensure voters he would have their best financial interests at the top of his list.
"A lot of people liked what I did and saw what I was doing," Brown said. "I think it will be a close race."
Brown added he has nothing but respect for his opponent, but said budget numbers continue to go up and "something's got to give" where town spending is concerned.
"I've done it," he said, "and I can do it with less money. I think I accomplished a lot and there's still a lot to be done."
Several other incumbents seek re-election including incumbent selectman Jack Cannon hoping to earn another three-year spot on the board. Joseph Castricone also filed to run for one of the two open selectman seats.
Mary Beth Ditoro and Peter Lecesse are running for two open library trustee positions; Chris Hadik, Rhonda Lamphere, and Charles Heuer hope to earn the three spots on the budget committee for three-year terms; Gary Chesney, Steve Dangelo and Ephraim Dobbins are running for two two-year budget committee jobs.
Other candidates running this year include Gen Rowell, Wilcomb Townsend Home Trust Trustee; Steve Child, Village Cemetery trustee. No candidates filed for Great Hill Cemetery trustee or Trustee of Trust Fund.
After choosing town officials on Tuesday, the annual town meeting is set for the next night where voters will hear about a proposed $3,179,900 budget for next year, with several warrant articles also to be considered including a new vehicle for the fire department and a $1.4 million bond for road work and repairs in town.
Another article asks for $17,875 to drill a new well at Wason Pond recreation area, and also install a drinking fountain near the playground area. This money may be reimbursed to the town with federal stimulus funding to help communities improve water supplies and drinking water upgrades.
Election day in Chester is May 12 for town offices only, followed by the annual Town Meeting on May 13 at 7 p.m. in the multipurpose room.
