The Chesterfield Commons Controversy

A Historic Moment

In August of 1990, the whole character of Chesterfield was put at a crossroads. A New York City based commercial developer, Shopco, rolled into town proposing a 350,000-550,000 sq/ft mall to be built on the Welcome Farm (Rt. 9 between Shelia Ave and Welcome Hill Road on the river side). Chesterfield Commons would contain four anchor stores (Sears, G. Fox, Filene's & J.C. Penny) plus 80 - 100 other shops employing 600 people. According to Shopco, the mall would generate $250,000 in town revenue, saving each taxpayer $100 annually.  Plus, they promised $650,000 to Chesterfield’s Office of Emergency Management for “Fire Protection and Emergency Planning” with an additional $30,000 annually for fire equipment, if the plan was approved.

Needless to say, the reaction was intense. The Planning Board and concerned residents requested independent studies to determine the impact on the community. An analysis of how much revenue a mall generated in the long-term for the hosting communities and the effect on traffic patterns were completed. Pro and Con groups formed. Concerns were raised about the impact on the environment, especially on the adjacent Connecticut River and the underlying aquifer which a state study had just confirmed. Other red flags waved were the increase in crime, more traffic on Route 9 (especially over the then substandard Rt. 9 bridge), the increased volume of waste disposal, the contradiction a mall has on the Town’s Master Plan, and the fact that the jobs created were mostly low wage.  The pro-mall group embraced the increase in town revenue, jobs, and waved the “You Can’t Stop Progress” flag. They argued that if it isn’t built here, it would be built in Keene which already had a competing mall proposal.

Enter the major obstacle! The mall would require 65 acres to be rezoned. At a speed uncharacteristic for Chesterfield, a special vote was called on Jan. 15, 1991. This item was too hot to wait for the regular Town Vote in March. With a turnout of 60% the rezoning bill was defeated 811 to 543. (This is why we drive to the eventually approved Monadnock Mall in Keene.) Now all that remains of the Chesterfield Commons Mall lays in the little gray Box #134 stored within the Chesterfield Historical Society Archives. The passion surrounding this part of Chesterfield’s history is best described in a poem by Lynne Borofsky published on Dec. 24, 1990, in the Keene Sentinel.

Night Before Christmas in Chesterfield

It was the night before Christmas, and all through Town Hall

Not a creature was stirring, they were all at the mall.

The new stockings were hung by the chimney in line.

In hopes that St. Nicholas, wasn’t taking Route 9.

The children were nestled, in the back of the car

With flashes of red lights, from the traffic afar.

Mama riding shotgun and I at the wheel

Had just left for the mall in the hopes of a deal.

When in the distance there arose such a clatter

I swerved off the road to see what was the matter.

Down came the window, I rolled with a flash,

Tore open the car door and jumped with a crash.

The moon on the breast of the salty snow,

Gave a luster of mid-day to the pollution below.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver so sad and so quick

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than sale day his corsairs they came

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name.

           “Now Sears now Penny’s, now K-Mark and Fredricks

           On Chessman, on Foxmores, K-Bee Toys and Ames!

           To the top of the gas station! To the top of the Mall!

           Now Dash away, dash away, dash away all.”

As leaves that before the big parking lot came

Now they meet with the gridlock and can’t fly again.

So up to the mall his corsairs they flew

With an empty old sleigh and St. Nicholas too.

And then in the smog I heard on the roof

The clawing and pawing of each reindeer hoof.

As I drew in my head and was turning around

Into the Mall went St. Nick with a bound.

He was trimmed up with fur from his head to his feet

He had out run the car thief and really looked beat.

But they did get the sack from right off his back.

And he looked like a peddler missing his pack.

The American Express card he held tight in his teeth

And his credit limit encircled his head like a wreath

He was chubby and plump, a right serious old elf.

And I yelled when I saw him in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know for that mall, there was dread.

He closed all the stores and stopped all the fights.

And laying a finger aside of his nose,

Up in the air and “poof” that mall rose.

He sprang to his sleigh and to his team gave a whistle.

And away they all flew in the woods and the thistle.

But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight.

“Merry Christmas to Chesterfield and to all a Good Night”

 …..and the next moment I awoke to find Christmas for all

And my nightmare had ended about that damn mall.