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Chester selectmen approve facilities safety policy, confirm three appointments
Summary
At their Jan. 27 meeting the Chester Board of Selectmen approved a Facilities Policy & Procedures document for fire, evacuation, lockdown and shelter-in-place incidents, scheduled an unannounced drill including Essex Savings Bank, and appointed members to three local boards; one appointment drew an abstention.
The Chester Board of Selectmen on Jan. 27 approved a Facilities Policy & Procedures document covering fire, evacuation, lockdown and shelter-in-place protocols and confirmed three appointments to local boards during a brief meeting at Chester Town Hall and via Teams.
First Selectwoman Cindy Lignar called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. and the board moved unanimously to approve minutes from Jan. 13 and Jan. 14, 2026. The board then voted to appoint Jennifer Rannestad to the Retirement Board and Robert Germaine to the Board of Assessment Appeals; both motions passed unanimously. A motion to appoint Mark Fishkind as an alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals passed with one abstention from Selectwoman Pat Bandzes.
The board reviewed a Facilities Policy & Procedures document for fire, evacuation, lockdown and shelter-in-place response. Members noted Town Hall is equipped with required fire alarms, lights and horns. The Selectmen agreed to schedule an unannounced fire drill that will include Essex Savings Bank. Paul Radicchi moved to approve the policy as presented; Pat Bandzes seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Selectmen offered brief reports. Paul Radicchi said the Mold Committee will meet again on Jan. 29 and is expected to conclude soon; he also noted the Zoning Board of Appeals discussed a variance request for a nonconforming lot. Pat Bandzes said RiverCOG will reach out to the First Selectwoman about new housing bills and recommended including Zoning and Housing Committee members in discussions with the council of governments; she added she was elected chair of the Chester Regional Housing Committee, reported that Chapco has consolidated operations in Deep River, and said the Norma Terris Theatre, owned by Goodspeed, will not hold shows in Chester in 2026.
First Selectwoman Lignar summarized townwide updates: R4 Task Force meetings, Chester's Sustainable Connecticut silver certification application due in August, the first Chester Vision Zero meeting scheduled for Feb. 11, 2026, RiverCOG’s work on a Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, a planned meeting with North Main Street residents about lampposts (with grant materials forwarded to Mr. Schroeder), and ongoing budget work.
No members of the public spoke during the audience of citizens period. The board adjourned at 6:24 p.m.
