Cindy Lignar has served as First Selectman since 2023. Her first-term accomplishments include improved transparency and communication; the completion of multiple infrastructure projects; applying for and receiving grants, and cutting costs; overseeing, in coordination with the Selectmen, Board of Finance, and Town departments, responsible budgets that were approved by Town vote. She has established a positive and efficient working culture at Town Hall through her consistent leadership and presence. Additionally, Cindy has declined the opportunity to receive a raise in both fiscal years.

Going forward, Cindy is equipped to address the challenges facing Chester, including collaborating on the Region 4 potential reconfiguration project, ensuring infrastructure is improved and maintained, maintaining health and safety protocols, and overseeing Chester’s preparation for unforeseen events. One of her primary goals is to have a town government that enhances the quality of life in Chester, while honoring its history and culture.

Cindy has been a resident of Chester for 21 years, where she lives with her husband, Ken.

Pat Bandzes has served as a Selectman since 2023. Pat has been instrumental in obtaining grant revenue for the Town of Chester. She is a champion for diverse housing and smart development solutions that preserve Chester’s unique character and quality of life. A life-long volunteer, Pat is chair of the Chester Economic Development Commission and serves on the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce’s regional Economic Development Steering Committee. She was a liaison to RiverCOG for Chester’s first Affordable Housing Plan and now chairs their Regional Housing Committee.

Pat and her husband, Bob, have been married for more than 40 years and have lived in Chester for the past 13 years.

John Connelly has been an educator for nearly 50 years, and most recently taught two International Baccalaureate classes in global politics and comparative history at Valley Regional High School. After serving on the Chester BOF as an alternate for two budget cycles, John remains passionate about maintaining the town’s financial health. He worked with the bipartisan BOF members to create lean, workable budgets and will seek equity for Chester in its relationship within Region 4’s tri-town education system.

He lives in Chester with his wife, Lorraine.

Roger Labrecque recently retired as a senior account executive at Emerson Automation Solutions after 40 years of service. He also held positions in operations and project management. Now retired, Roger has the time and desire to contribute meaningfully to the Chester community.

Roger currently serves as treasurer on The Forest Homeowners Association Board and, for the past 16 months, has served on Chester’s Board of Finance as an alternate. During his time on the Board of Finance, he’s collaborated not only with members of the board to facilitate proper analysis and oversight of the town budget, but he’s also had the opportunity to gain greater insight into the town’s services and programs. Roger’s goal is to ensure that Chester has the financial resources it needs to support these services and programs while remaining fiscally responsible.

Roger has always enjoyed Chester; its people and culture are second to none, and he was lucky enough to have moved here eight years ago.

Deborah Vilcheck is a full member of the Board of Finance, appointed in November 2021, and elected in 2023.

A lawyer and former trust officer and financial advisor, Deborah is a 24-year resident of Chester and has been an active volunteer in the community, including helping at the Chester Sunday Market and as a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Chester. Rotary’s guiding principle the Four-Way Test (Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?) is very much a part of Deborah’s own principles.

Justin Kronholm has lived in Chester for more than twenty years. He currently serves as senior advisor to Attorney General William Tong and was a member of the Chester Zoning Board of Appeals.

Justin and his wife, Candace, are proud to raise their two daughters in Chester.

Bria Gilbert is a Chester resident and financial advisor who helps individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions. She previously served as a vice president and investment consultant for global financial firms, advising on portfolio strategy and long-term planning. Bria brings a practical understanding of financial stewardship and is committed to the fiscal health of her community.

She lives in Chester with her husband and their three young sons.

David Fitzgibbons has been a Chester resident for 52 years. He is Chair of the Chester Board of Education for eight years and is a 12-year member of the BOE. David is an Independent Mental Health Care Professional. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of Tri-Town Youth Services, a former Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCONN School of Medicine, and a Ph.D. at NYU.

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Maria Scherber has served on the Chester BOE for 10 years as an advocate for transparency, equity, and school safety. She is committed to supporting Chester’s high academic standards and ensuring a quality education for every student. Maria is a former K-12 Spanish teacher and current USA Swimming official.

Her husband’s family has resided in Chester for four generations, and her twins attend John Winthrop Middle School.

Jihan Schulte has been a Chester resident since 2015. She has strong ties to the tri-town area through her employment in downtown Chester, co-owning a small local business, and participation in a variety of local activities and groups. Previously, she was a lead forensic metallurgist in the aerospace field and taught as an adjunct professor of chemistry at Southern Connecticut State University. Jihan also has first-hand experience in early childhood development and special education. She would like to see Chester improve its ability to teach kids of all learning styles and celebrate the strengths of each child, both while considering fiscal responsibility.

She lives with her husband and two children, one of whom has been through all three Chester schools.

Jillian K. Zupan was appointed a member of the Chester BOE in 2023, and elected to a full term in 2025.

An emergency room nurse for 10 years, she now chairs the nursing curriculum committee for all six nursing programs for Connecticut State Community College. As a board member and parent with children in the school system, she is committed to fostering academic excellence, equity, and student success.

5Jillian is a professor of nursing at Three Rivers Community College and co-owner of Seed and Soil Flower Farm LLC.

Henry Krempel has served on P&Z for 13 years. A former software engineer, his past service to Chester includes three years on the Board of Finance. He holds a BA from Binghamton State University and an MS from Syracuse University.

Henry has lived in Chester for 20 years.

Carlie Dailey has been serving on P&Z and is currently vice chair of the Chester Economic Development Commission, and has been an active member of Chester’s Affordable Housing Committee. Carlie believes in supporting and providing local businesses with economic opportunities, celebrating Chester’s history, and creating options for all to enjoy what the town has to offer.

She is a high school business teacher and lives in Chester with her husband, Brian, and their two children.

Jonathan S. Tobin was endorsed by the Chester Democratic Town Committee as an unaffiliated voter and elected for a full term on P&Z in 2025. Jonathan believes that thoughtful, diverse opinions, and visions are critical to shaping the future of Chester. With his passion for preserving history, his experience in strategic planning and zoning, and his desire to serve his community, Jonathan believes that he can contribute in a meaningful way in this role.

He has been a Chester resident for 10 years and has had family in the tri-town area for the past 40 years.

Rebecca Mead was appointed as an alternate to P&Z in January of 2025 and elected in November of 2025 for a six-year term.

Rebecca, a Chester business owner and adjunct staff member at the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, has been a member of the Chester Economic Development Commission since 2023. She also serves on the RiverCOG Regional Planning Committee and is a board member of the Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau.

Rebecca is a proponent of aligning responsible planning and smart growth with Chester’s long-term goals and small-town values, and welcomes the opportunity to serve as a full member of P&Z to help steward Chester for future generations.

Rebecca and her husband Jason have lived in Chester since 2013.

John Guthrie was born and raised in Chester and elected as an alternate for the P&Z in November 2025, hoping to give back to the community that shaped him.

In this role, he will work to ensure that development in Chester preserves our town’s historic character while meeting the needs of our growing population. He is committed to promoting thoughtful land use, supporting small businesses, protecting our natural resources, and advocating for more affordable housing for residents of all ages.

Brian Dailey has been a dedicated public school teacher for 20 years. He currently teaches physics at Valley Regional High School, where he combines expertise in science and technology with a passion for motivating students. Brian hopes to see the town maintain its cherished traditions while embracing the challenges of the present and future. He feels strongly that collaboration, both in Chester and with our tri-town neighbors, is essential.

He lives in Chester with his wife, Carlie, and their two children. 

Karin Badger is an Art Director and Graphic Designer, specializing in book design. Karin has worked in Connecticut and New York for over 40 years for Garland Publishing, Hinterhoeller Yachts, and AT&T, and freelanced for publishers in the US and internationally. A Chester resident since 2005, Karin says, “Libraries have been a very significant, wonderful influence on my life. I feel they are an immensely important part of the community.”

Sandy Senior-Dauer taught history for 33 years. She is a vice president and co-chairs programs and exhibits for the Chester Historical Society. She also serves on the Tri-town Youth and Family board and is vice-president of the CT Fulbright Alums. She and husband Keith love to travel, garden, and read.

Susan Wright was appointed by the Board of Selectmen in January 2024 to fill a vacancy and was elected to a full term in November 2025.

Abigail Rice has been on the Library Board of Trustees since 2019.

She is a first-grade teacher at Daisy Ingraham Elementary School in Westbrook. Abigail lives in Chester with her husband and four children.