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CHESTER -- City council voted to direct the last of its American Rescue Act fund to spend $43,000 on a grit machine for its water department during Monday afternoon's regular meeting. Mayor Ed Wedgewood explained that it was a major piece of equipment and much needed as the device removed grit from sewage sludge.
Officials also finally agreed they were satisfied with the networking done by BIZ Tech of Washington, WV to pay them the $15,410 balance that has been outstanding since last summer. Although those bugs appear to be worked out, issues exist with BIZ Tech's access system. Even though BIZ Tech appears have finally figured out the issues there, members have tabled paying the remaining $20,386,87 until they get those issues resolved. The issues have persisted since BIZ Tech issued the invoices nearly one year ago.
In other action, council did elect to waive three non-collectible municipal fee accounts for George Gamerdinger, David McMichael and Gary Thayer as well as pay $1232.59 in bills for work done at Chester City Park as a result of windstorm last month.
Susan Hineman of the park board approached members to see if they would pay $832.59 to replace a cylinder of a volunteer's tractor and a $400 bill for Gillespie Tree Service to complete the work that was unable to be completed by the Street Department in house.
Members also accepted $210,135 in funds and paid $56,443.81 in bills out of the general and building funds.
Six Enterprises' bid of $17,200 for installation of a catch basin system on Lycia Avenue was accepted. The only other bid was nearly triple the cost when the sealed bids were announced by Mayor Ed Wedgewood.
Members agreed to table a special counsel representation agreement with Morgan and Morgan, a Florida-based law firm that wants them to sign on for a class action suit against Norfolk Southern over the East Palestine train derailment. They plan to address the matter at the next meeting after they get a chance to read through the document.
Jonathan Creese was administered the oath of office to become Chester's latest police hire. The plan is to enroll Creese in the June class to get certified as an entry level patrolman.
Council next will meet at 5 p.m. Monday, June 5 in council chambers of the municipal building.