Trending
CHESTER -- Chester Council completed a lot of housekeeping issues during its last meeting of 2023.
Mayor Ed Wedgewood, City Clerk Tara Ayers and all members but Jason Thorn were in attendance.
Council, during its meeting Monday, accepted $110,485.67 in receipts into the general fund and $5,570 into the building fund before paying out $140, 079.17 in bills, including $87,532.23 to the Cast and Baker Corp. for the recently completed paving of Ninth, Pyramus, Lycia and Iris.
Wedgewood told council that he had completed the necessary paperwork for the state's dilapidated housing program and it has been accepted. He hopes to have more information available at the first meeting of the new year.
Members also:
• Directed Ayers to open an interest-bearing account at Hancock County Savings Bank to hold its proceeds stemming from the opioid lawsuits through the West Virginia Attorney General's office. Wedgewood said the money will be directed toward drug interdiction efforts for the city's police department.
• Paid out a portion of the accrued personal, sick and vacation hours during the first full week of December to city employees Mark Six, Chuck Stanley and Ethan Skolrud.
• Watched as police officer Kyle Swan was sworn in. Police Chief Chuck Stanley said Swan will do ride-alongs through Jan. 15, when he is expected to begin his mandatory training at the state police academy.
• Asked Councilman Mike Dotson to investigate replacement of the awnings on the exterior of the municipal building. Dotson also announced that due to increasing expenses, rental rates for the municipal building will be increasing $50, which he said is still significantly less than other area event venues.
• Approved the 2024 holiday schedule per state code, which includes all federal holidays, election days and West Virginia Day (June 20).
The next regular meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Jan. 8, 2024.