Chester welcomes new mayor, Tom Bell

By Leslie Smith
CHESTER — Newly elected Mayor Tom Bell presided over Monday's Village of Chester Board meeting, also joined by new trustee Alan Battiato, trustee Chris Battiato, and deputy Mayor Betty Jo Bono.

Bell is taking over from longtime mayor Philip Valastro, who did not run for re-election after serving eight years in office.

Bell said the board would welcome applications to fill one open village trustee seat. Interested village residents may email resumes or letters of interest to the mayor or Chester board of trustees at vchester@frontiernetnet.net, or by regular mail to 47 Main St., Chester, by Tuesday, Jan. 5.

The village is also looking for planning board and zoning board alternates.

The board would like to have the new trustee start beginning with the Jan. 11 board meeting.

At the conclusion of the well-attended meeting, the new board received an enthusiastic round of applause.