Dear Chester Borough Residents,

On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, I dropped off my free Shop-Rite turkey at one of the local churches as the Chester Food Pantry was looking for turkeys for the Thanksgiving food baskets they provide to residents in need in both Chester and Mendham.  I was greeted by the pastor of the church and we chatted a few minutes. Now mind you, I am not a member of his congregation, but that didn’t matter.  We greeted each other as friends because that’s what we are. My husband was with me at the time, and when we got back into the car, I said that every single day I should be thankful that we found this wonderful town of Chester when we moved from out of state 28 years ago.

We don’t always all get along in Chester as we have different opinions on all sorts of topics.  It’s kind of in our blood. Heck, the Borough and Township split in 1930 over water! Nonetheless, I believe the residents of Chester do all have one thing in common, and that is a caring heart when it comes to our little town.

From the volunteer first responders, to those who serve on municipal boards and commissions, to the food pantry volunteers, to veterans involved at the American Legion, to service clubs, of which we have many, to volunteers at the schools and our athletic programs, together we have continued to make our town exactly that…our town. Chester is not some impersonal place on the map, but a town rich in history, natural beauty and caring people. My heartfelt thanks to each of you for all that you do.

So as we enter into this holiday season, let me take this opportunity on behalf of the Borough Council and myself to wish each of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy New Year or whatever you might be celebrating. And thank you for being a community that has a heart, a heart big enough to welcome myself and so many others who have chosen to call Chester home.

With thankfulness,

Janet Hoven, Mayor