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100-Year Consequences

Judging by the small number of people at Chester government meetings, voters and taxpayers must have a lot of faith in representative government.

That's especially true now, as three Chester committees separately explore three major proposed projects: a new library, major overhaul of child-friendly North Quarter Park, and Main Street improvements. These three committees with inter-connected projects have the potential to drive millions of dollars in expenditures and operating costs and produce changes that last decades.

Yet not one committee had members elected, not one has statutory authority, and not one has fiscal accountability. The committees are creations of the Board of Selectmen, serve at the direction and pleasure of selectmen, and only make recommendations to selectmen. Given millions of dollars proposed for projects overseen by these committees and the long-term impact on the budget, taxes, and in other ways, some may find this process disturbing.

In addition to a lack of accountability, these committees are moving separately on parallel tracks toward conclusions this summer. As a result, it is impossible to determine how one may impact another, or how best results for Chester would be achieved. There are too many moving pieces and too little solid information.

For example, when asked at a July 9 meeting whether Chester's attempt to apply before Sept. 1 for a state grant of up to $1 million for a new library isn't driving the North Quarter Park study, First Selectman Edmund Meehan said the park study is rushed. As for specific costs and specifications for any project, officials hedged and said there are only rough estimates.

That's not to say these plans aren't great ideas in the making, but rushing willy-nilly into decisions with 100-year consequences doesn't seem a good idea. Despite this being summer vacation season, paying attention might be worthwhile.

Joe CohenChester