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Chester Fire Commissioners approve amended Dec. 3 minutes, review routine reports
Summary
At their Jan. 21, 2026 meeting the Chester Board of Fire Commissioners approved an amendment to the Dec. 3, 2025 minutes and heard routine reports on staffing, equipment, infrastructure and training; no major policy decisions or budget votes were taken.
The Chester Board of Fire Commissioners met at the Fire House, 6 High Street, on Jan. 21, 2026, and approved an amendment to the Dec. 3, 2025 special meeting minutes after reviewing routine departmental and town reports. The meeting was called to order by Chair Bettie Perreault at 7:01 P.M.
First Selectman Cindy Legnar summarized town activities, including preparations for an approaching winter storm in coordination with Public Works and the governor’s office, a reminder to check the town calendar for upcoming events, traffic-safety concerns under the Chester Vision Overview (excessive speeding and stop-sign violations), CT DOT surveys of three locally owned bridges with work expected to begin in 2027 pending DOT approvals, ongoing Middlesex United Way activities and Community Fund notices, a request for donations to the town fuel fund, the replacement of a 20-year-old pump at the Water Street treatment plant, and planned Eversource tree-trimming on a three-year schedule. Legnar also said the tax-exemption program for the Chester Hose Company has been finalized and eligible volunteer firefighters will receive payments.
Deputy Chief Charlie Greeney distributed and reviewed the department activity report and said there were no budget details yet available; he and Karen Schafer are preparing budget materials and activity reports that the commission has not kept up to date in recent years. Greeney also reported that a truck from the Haddam department is awaiting removal of fluid before it can be transferred to Chester, but a timeline for that transfer is unknown.
Fire Marshal Dick Leighton provided activity reports for November and December 2025, discussed required training courses and an incident on Liberty Street that may require follow-up depending on the property's current and proposed uses, and reported that Richard Tsou has been certified as a Fire Marshal and will become a Deputy Fire Marshal after completing one additional course; copies of his graduation certificate and certifications were provided for the commission's files.
Resident State Trooper Carlos DosSantos reported that the police department has added a part-time officer, received a new cruiser that must be outfitted and will replace an older vehicle, and recorded two accidents in the past two months. He said speed cameras are under review and, subject to State Police approval, may be funded, purchased and activated.
On a motion by Commissioner Bob Quale, seconded by Commissioner Rick Schreiber, the commission amended the Dec. 3, 2025 special meeting minutes (Item 3, third bullet) to read: "The term tax exemption was seen as being a term applying to a wide range of subjects that are not considered to be 'certified' by an accepted public accounting standard." The amendment and the minutes were approved unanimously.
No other reports, new business, correspondence, or member items were raised. With no further business, the commission adjourned at 8:41 P.M. The minutes were signed by Chair Bettie Perreault.
The board is expected to begin the budgeting process in February and a commission member will attend future budget meetings to help bring activity reports and budget documents up to date.
