Town Government
Chester Select Board
About the Board
The Select Board is elected town-wide, so every Chester voter helps choose all three, and each serves a three-year term on a staggered schedule that puts one seat on the ballot most springs. The board sets town policy, signs the warrants that decide what Town Meeting gets to vote on, appoints residents to many town boards, and hires and supervises the Town Administrator who runs the town day to day. When a daily problem becomes town policy, this is the room where it happens.
- Sets policy and direction for the whole town.
- Hires the Town Administrator and holds the Administrator accountable.
- Controls the warrant, deciding what business reaches Town Meeting for a vote.
Board Members
All three members are elected town-wide, and after each annual town election the board reorganizes and chooses its own officers. The town’s current officer listing names Brian Forgue as Chair and Jill Strong as Vice Chair, with Craig Gauthier the third member. Jill Strong won her seat at the May 2, 2026 annual town election with 116 votes.
Brian Forgue
Jill Strong
Craig Gauthier
The town routes contact to board members through the Select Board office, which can be reached at (413) 354-7760. The current roster and meeting agendas are posted at townofchester.net.
Meetings & How to Participate
- When: every other Monday at 6:00 PM at Chester Town Hall, 15 Middlefield Road. The town posts each agenda in advance.
- Agendas & minutes: posted in advance on the town website at townofchester.net.
- Public comment: residents may address the board. Call the Town Administrator to be placed on the agenda.
- Town Meeting: for the budget and bylaws, the deciding vote belongs to the registered voters in the hall, which can include you.
Public hearings and meetings are where residents shape town decisions.