Three vying for treasurer’s seat

Phillip Bantz
Sentinel Staff

Three candidates are vying for an elected position that pays $4,000 a year.

It’s not the stipend that has Fred S. Parker, Patricia E. Putnam and incumbent Stuart E. West competing for the treasurer seat, which carries the responsibilities of collecting and depositing funds, paying the bills, balancing the books and preparing annual financial reports for Cheshire County.

Hutwelker eyes District 1 county commission seat

Phillip Bantz
Sentinel Staff

If you want to rile up Bill Hutwelker, just ask him about Cheshire County’s new $38.8 million jail.

The 53-year-old Republican from Swanzey is running for county commissioner in the 1st District, which covers Chesterfield, Hinsdale, Surry, Swanzey, Walpole, Westmoreland and Winchester.

Commissioners are part-time elected officials who meet weekly throughout the year and supervise county departments, buildings and land. They also prepare and oversee the county’s annual budget.

The county’s legislative delegation, composed of the county’s 24 state representatives, has final say on all county spending.

Hutwelker said in a recent interview with The Sentinel that millions of taxpayer dollars have been wasted on the jail project, which is under way in Keene off Route 101, near the Marlborough town line.

Pratt running for second county commission term

Phillip Bantz
Sentinel Staff

John M. “Jack” Pratt counts the new county jail and a regional prosecutor program among his accomplishments during his two years as a Cheshire County Commissioner.

Pratt, 75, of Walpole is running for a second term as commissioner in the 1st District, which covers Chesterfield, Hinsdale, Surry, Swanzey, Walpole, Westmoreland and Winchester.

Commissioners are part-time elected officials who meet weekly throughout the year and supervise county departments, buildings and land. They also prepare and oversee the county’s annual budget.

The county’s legislative delegation, composed of the county’s 24 state representatives, has final say on all county spending.

The new $38.8 million county jail is under construction on a hilltop property off Route 101 in Keene near the Marlborough town line. The projected had been mired in controversy, mainly because of its price tag and a debate over its location.