December 4, 2025
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Chester, Deep River, & Essex Vol. XXV Iss. 49
Chester BOE Elects New Chairperson, Vice-Chair, and Secretary By Christian Maldonado Staff Writer
The Chester Board of Education met for the first time since the November municipal elections and elected Vice-Chairperson Dale Bernardoni as the new chairperson, replacing David Fitzgibbons. Bernardoni won four votes from the six members who partici-
pated. Her nomination came from board secretary Lorraine Connelly, who said she admires the way Bernardoni has worked with the board and believes her experience will positively impact the board and the students in Chester. “I think she has tremendous background and experience for this roll,” Connelly said. “She will share information as chair a little
bit differently than before...I think we need to drop what we know from the past and move forward.” Fitzgibbons, who served as chair for 10 years, came up short in the election but emphasized during his nomination speech that he remains committed to the board on See Chester BOE Elects page 7
Rich Benoit will be playing the baritone at the upcoming performance of Tuba Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 6 in Clinton............................2
Santa Time
A Tight Contest Families pose for photos with Santa Valley Regional/Lyme-Old Lyme Claus on Nov. 29, at the Essex topped H-K football 9-7 in the Town Green during the Holiday annual Thanksgiving clash Stroll in Essex. Santa arrived on last week.....................................11 Engine 2 from the Essex Fire Department before the tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. The event was sponsored by the Essex Board of Trade, Homeward Collective and Brickside Pizza.
Photo by Wesley Bunnell/ Valley Courier
Holiday Cookie Recipes Check out the recipes for several different types of shortbread cookies for the holiday season.................19
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