Historic Chester News

Merging the Chesters

Fri, 9 May 2008 12:13:18 EDT

About 75 people Monday debated the pros and cons of folding the two Chesters into one. One woman said it was a bad idea 20 years ago, and it's a bad idea today. Another resident took the concept a step further, suggesting that maybe the two Chesters should be merged with another town.

At the end of the meeting, which was organized not by any of the relevant towns, but by a candidate for the Chester Township Council, Freeholder William Chegwidden rose and offered some pertinent advice.

"If you are going to do it, you should do it slowly with shared services," he said. Chegwidden has some experience here. He is also mayor of Wharton, which has consolidated police, the municipal court and a school superintendent with neighboring Mine Hill.

NJ taking garden out of Garden State?

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:41:00 EDT

New Jersey farmers are starting to worry that their state lawmakers are about to take the garden out of the Garden State.

Gov. Jon Corzine is proposing to make New Jersey the third state without a Department of Agriculture as he looks to slash spending amid chronic state budget problems.

Some argue the move will chase away farmers who persevered for generations while New Jersey grew into the nation's most densely populated state.

"Ultimately, the quality of life of all of New Jersey's citizens will suffer," said William Griffin, president of the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture.

New Jersey would join Alaska and Rhode Island as the only states without an agriculture department, said Charles W. Ingram, spokesman for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

Spring & Summer Helmet Campaign

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:21:28 EDT

SPORT, BIKE OR BOARD A HELMET CAN'T BE IGNORED! Purchase a helmet for $10.00! All orders need to please be received by April 18, 2008. Please go to www.chesterfirstaid.org to order your helmets now.

The pick up date will be May 3, 2008, at the ESC OPEN HOUSE at the Chester Firehouse, 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Colors, models and graphics change frequently through the season. Bell Sports will make a mix of products based on current availability for our total order!

Please come early to pick out your color! Toddler helmets are similar to the multi sport style and they come in blue or pink!

Chester Township Winter Recreation Programs

Sun, 6 Jan 2008 15:09:27 EST

Chester Township Recreation Director, Jeanne Montemarano, has announced the line up of recreation programs for Winter 2008.

Chester's $22M Schools Project Ready for Viewing

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:24:41 EST

Construction has wrapped and the trailers have rolled out of the parking lots of the district's three schools just in time for a public open house scheduled for this weekend.

The $22.75 million project was completed on schedule and just under budget, according to business administrator Mary Jane Canose.

Alcott boardinghouse: No drug problem here

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:33:48 EST

The family that runs the boardinghouse that has seen three drug-related arrests in the past several months denies the residential complex has a problem with residents using drugs.

Owner John Zhang said he met with police Tuesday to discuss ways to prevent individuals involved in drug use and peddling from living on the premises by doing background checks on the state police computer.

Chester food pantry aims to collect 1,000 items

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:52:38 EST

Annual drive asking for unopened, non-perishable donations for the needy

The Chester Food Pantry hopes to collect 1,000 items during its annual Millie Grazie Food Drive this week.

The pantry has partnered with Jon Ionfrida, owner of GianAngelo's and Café Marcella, who volunteered to give free food to anyone who donates a bag of unopened non-perishable items to the pantry. Both restaurants also are serving as drop-off points for the food drive.

GianAngelo's will be giving out a free slice of pizza and soda or 10 percent off an order between Monday and Sunday. The restaurant also will transform its parking lot into a drive-thru for more convenient drop-off.

Café Marcella will give out a free bagel and coffee on Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm.

Bragg Elementary Principal to Lead Chester district

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 08:20:06 EDT

The Board of Education selected Bragg Elementary School's principal to become the district's next superintendent.

The board unanimously backed Christina Van Woert unanimously at Monday's meeting. She had accepted the board's $150,000 per year offer Friday.

"(Van Woert) is exactly what we were looking for," Board President Gary Lakritz said. "Her focus on assessment, her dedication to bringing new teaching styles into the classroom-- that, and, we couldn't find anyone that had anything but positive things to say about her."

Chester Fire Lobbies for New Truck

Sat, 6 Oct 2007 08:40:44 EDT

The fire department's trucks are outdated compared to the town's growing needs, according to spokesman Dave Dietz, who is among those lobbying for a new truck.

The department's current trucks, now at least 20 years old, have industrial 35-foot ladders that lean up against a house, which can cost precious time in a rescue.

That's why the department is asking the Chester Borough and Chester Township councils to add a $960,000 truck to their budget next January. The new truck has a 100-foot ladder and attached bucket so a firefighter could hover outside a second-story window to rescue a family. One person can operate the ladder in 45 seconds, Dietz said.

Stony Hill Farm Market Cornfield Maze

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 08:06:54 EDT

Stony Hill Farm Market, 15 North Road, presents its seventh annual "Maize Quest, The Cornfield Maze Adventure." This year's theme is "The Manhattan Adventure."

Visitors will explore 10,000 feet of pathways in the 10-acre corn maze cut through 300,000 cornstalks into the shape of the Statue of Liberty. Maize goers will collect stamps of nine different points of interest on the island of Manhattan following a game sheet, providing the story line and directional clues.

Additional highlights are the "Miner Max Maze" that ends with a sluice and real gemstone mining, a two-story Noah's Ark in the children's play area, a farm market, hayrides, pick-your-own pumpkins and more. Tile and rope mazes also add to the fun.

For more information, call (908) 879-2908 between 9 am and 6 pm.