State police charged Nichols with negligent operation following a school bus accident in town.
This is an updated version of a story posted at 11:54 this morning.
Robert R. NicholsBLANDFORD – Selectman Robert R. Nichols denied operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs, the result of a school bus crash Thursday morning, at his arraignment in Westfield District Court Friday.
Nichols, 50, of Main Street, also denied a charge of negligent operation of a motor vehicle before Judge Philip A. Contant.
Contant ordered Nichols to return to court July 15 for a pre-trial conference. The selectman was released on personal recognizance pending his next court appearance.
The accident happened at about 8 a.m. on South Street when Nichols allegedly crashed his 2005 Landrover into a school bus carrying four Chester Elementary School students.
No injuries were reported.
State police investigating the accident said they found two pill bottles containing various pills and tablets in Nichols’ vehicle.