These mintues remain unofficial until approved by the council

at the next meeting.  All official mintues can be accessed at the

Town Office.  

Regular Meeting 

The Town of Chester Council held the Regular Scheduled Council meeting on June 10, 2026, at 6:00 pm at the Town Office.  

Members Present: Mayor James Dahlen, Council Persons, Sonja Dahlen, Scott Decker, Rachel Ghekiere, Tina Neer, and Jim Sivils 

Members Absent: Garrett Graff             

 

Staff Present:  Dave Ghekiere (PWD)

                        Ashley Wickum (Clerk/Treasurer)                

 

Guests: Pete Habel 

1. Mayor James Dahlen called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 pm 

2. Reminder that the Meeting is Audio Recorded 

3. Pledge of Allegiance 

4. Scott Decker made the motion to approve the minutes of the Public Hearing, May 13, 2026, and the Regular Council Meeting, May 13, 2026. Sonja Dahlen seconded the motion. Motion to approve the minutes passed with all voting ayes. 

5. Claims were presented to the council for approval. Sonja Dahlen made the motion to approve the June claims submitted for payment. Ck#21563-21596 electronic payments -99916-99917, June payroll advances, Ck#21598 – 21599.  May payroll checks were processed: Ck# 21549-21562 and electronic payroll liability payments -88896-88902.  Scott Decker seconded the motion. Motion to approve claims passed with all voting ayes. 

6. The council reviewed the adjustments and journal entries made in May. The $90 adjustment for the three stop payments for the payroll liability checks was credit back and a JV was done to reverse the previous JV. Rachel Ghekiere made the motion to approve May JV & Adjustments.  Sonja Dahlen seconded the motion. Motion passed with all voting ayes. 

7. Public Comments: none 

8. Mayor Report/ Additional Agenda Items: Pete Habel Building permit was added to the agenda under additional items and presented to the council. Pete Habel presented a building permit for a garage at 34 W Jefferson Ave.  The garage will be 28X40.  There are already water and sewer on the lot, and the garage will be connected to these.  Rachel Ghekiere made the motion to approve the building permit as presented.  Sonja Dahlen seconded the motion.  Motion passed with all voting ayes.  

9. Sheriff’s Office Report: Copy was provided by the Sheriff’s office. 

10. New Business:
    • Approval of Montana State Fund Workers Compensation Proposal: Ashley Wickum presented the council with the quote from Montana State Fund for Workers Compensation coverage. Rachel Ghekiere made the motion to approve the proposal from the Montana State Fund for Workers Compensation coverage.  Sonja Dahlen seconded the motion.  Motion passed with all voting ayes.   
    • Approval of MOU for the State Funded City Park Rest Area Maintenance Program SFY 2027: Sonja Dahlen made the motion to approve the MOU for the State Funded City Park Rest Area Maintenance Program SFY 2027. Scott Decker second the motion.  Motion passed with all voting ayes. 
    • Appointing Town Representative for North Central Montana Regional Water Authority: The council and mayor would like to investigate the rules of who can be appointed. Jim Sivils made the motion to table Appointing Town Representative for North Central Montana Regional Water Authority.  Sonja Dahlen seconded the motion.  Motion passed to table this agenda item with all voting ayes. 
    • Approval of the Interlocal Agreement for Law Enforcement: The Interlocal Agreement for Law Enforcement was presented to the council with a proposed $22,000/year increase. Discussion of services and cost.  Tina Neer made the motion to table the approval of the Interlocal Agreement for Law Enforcement until the updated draft is present. Sonja Dahlen seconded the motion.  Motion passed to table this agenda item with all voting ayes.    

11. Old Business:
    • North Central Montana Regional Water Authority update: no further update was given. 

12. PWD update: Dave Ghekiere, PWD, updated the council that he is working on the CCR report, the pool is up and running with just a few minor issues, but everything is working well. The generator is hooked up at the WTP and he is waiting on customer service to show them how to operate it.  They have installed a few new meters and will be working on this.  The main sprinkler line at the park broke and Dusty’s Sprinklers came and worked on it but there is more work to be done.  It is still under warranty.  Dave informed the council that the original quote from MET for the electronic portion of the upgrades for the Ford Garage is going to be an additional $1,800.  They will be filling potholes when the weather clears.  The new employees are doing very well.  Jadon Sullivan quit leaving another opening.  John Kleinsasser is willing to continue to help and to also help with the on call. The line by Jim Browns house still needs to be worked on.    

13. Clerk update: Ashley Wickum updated the council that she applied for a fulfilled the requirements to receive her Certified Montana Municipal Clerk/Treasurer Credentials. There will be two extra meetings on 6/24/26, a public hearing and then a special meeting to approve the water rate increases.  Discussed needing someone to do the mowing for problem properties for the Town.  Keith Gonzalaz is willing to get insurance and provide this service again this year.    

14. Council: Scott Decker presented the council with a letter of resignation effective tonight 6/10/2026. Everyone expressed their thanks for his time on council.  Rachel Ghekiere inquired about the spill that the Department of Transportation had by the State Shop.  The trees on the south side of Harrison are dying as are others in the area.  Ashley Wickum will find out if the trees on Harrison are on the towns right of way as well as what needs to be done about the other trees in town.  

15. Rachel Ghekiere made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Tina Neer seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 6:59 pm.

 

Submitted by_______________________     Approved by_________________________                                                     Clerk                                                           Mayor

Public Hearing 

The Town of Chester Council held a Public Hearing meeting on June 24, 2026, at 6:00 pm at the Town Office 

Members Present: Mayor James Dahlen Council Persons, Sonja Dahlen, Rachel Ghekiere, Garrett Graff, and Jim Sivils 

Members Absent: Tina Neer 

Staff Present:       Dave Ghekiere (Public Works Director)

                             Ashley Wickum (Clerk/Treasurer)                       

 

Guests: none 

1. Mayor James Dahlen called the Public Hearing to order at 6:00 pm 

2. Pledge of Allegiance 

3. Reminder that the Meeting is Audio Recorded 

4. Public Comments: none
5. New Business: 

1. Increasing Rates for the Users of the Municipal Water System: No public present 

6. Jim Sivils made a motion to adjourn the public hearing meeting. Rachel Ghekiere seconded the motion. The public hearing meeting was adjourned at 6:01 pm. 

Submitted by_______________________     Approved by_________________________                                                     Clerk                                                           Mayor

 

Special Meeting 

The Town of Chester Council held a Special Meeting on June 24, 2026, at 6:02 pm at the Town Office 

Members Present: Mayor James Dahlen Council Persons, Sonja Dahlen, Rachel Ghekiere, Garrett Graff, and Jim Sivils 

Members Absent: Tina Neer 

Staff Present:       Dave Ghekiere (Public Works Director)

                             Ashley Wickum (Clerk/Treasurer)                      

 

Guests: none 

1. Mayor James Dahlen called the Special Meeting to order at 6:02 pm 

2. Reminder that the Meeting is Audio Recorded 

3. Public Comments: none
4. New Business: 

1. Resolution #13-2026 Increasing Rates for the Users of the Municipal Water System: Rachel Ghekiere made the motion to approve Resolution #13-2026 Increasing Rates for the Users of the Municipal Water System as presented. Garrett Graff seconded the motion.  Motion passed with all voting ayes.  

5. Rachel Ghekiere made a motion to adjourn the special meeting. Jim Sivils seconded the motion. The special meeting was adjourned at 6:04 pm.

 

Submitted by_______________________     Approved by_________________________                                                     Clerk                                                           Mayor