CHESTER — The city received a little bad news, explained city Mayor Ed Wedgewood during Monday’s regular meeting.

The city’s energy grant funds have been caught up in the federal spending freeze from earlier this year.

The city had applied and had been awarded $13,000 in funding last year to replace all the LED lights throughout the interior of the municipal building from the U.S. Department of Energy.

No action was taken on a municipal fee appeal of 525 Railroad St., as the impacted owner of record Jeffrey Morris didn’t show up during public speaks. According to the statement dated Feb. 1, which was due on Feb. 28, Morris owes two years worth of municipal fees plus penalties, or $286 if the statement wasn’t paid by April 1.

Kim Elliott did speak in behalf of a property her mother owes at 556 Carolina Ave., expressing frustration about two neighboring properties’ water drainage and snow removal.

Councilman Nathan Wright agreed to talk to the occupant of 560 about his drainage issues, which floods the parking and sidewalk outside of Elliott’s beauty shop, while councilman Steve Shuman is going to the neighboring car wash about pushing all their snow into her parking lot and possible alternates for their snow removal contractor.

In other action, council, which again was missing member Jason Thorn:

— Accepted $81,078.76 into the general fund and $4,965 into the building fund in receipts and payment of $4,965 of bills from the building fund an $145, 233.55 from the general fund, including $20,100 to Juszczak for the dilapidated homes, $15,843.50 to paving consultant Stantec and $19,495 to Tractor Barn towards the purchase of the new T25 loader tractor.

— Hired Richard Bowen as the new parks’ system groundkeeper at $15 per hour for a maximum of 30 hours per week through October. Bowen is set to begin work later this month.

— Approved first reading of an ordinance banning farm animals, including chickens and pigs, within city limits.

— Also approved the first reading of an an amended water works tariff ordinance, which had earlier been declined by the state’s Public Service Commission as unsatisfactory as it needed clarifications to the leak adjustment and after hour service call fee policies.

— Added another house to its demolition list — 178 Alley G had caught fire during February’s council meeting. Fire Chief John Hissam verified that it was unrepairable. While it probably cannot be added to the current demolitions under contract as part of the state grant, council agreed to approve the current contractor’s bid of $9,000 to complete the job, which is down the street from where is currently working. This $9,000 price would not include asbestos testing or removal. Wedgewood said they still have to see if that needs done. The structure’s owner already has signed off on allowing city officials to demo it, but he is to be there when the demo occurs.

— Approved upgrading the Badgley Pavilion’s heating and cooling system at a cost of $7,500.

— Took no action regarding the park system’s request regarding a contribution to Chester City Park’s annual summer concert series as it will be discussed again on Monday, April 7 at council’s next meeting.

— Went into executive session near the end of the meeting to discuss personnel with no action to be taken.

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