City well repairs almost complete

By Tony Farkas
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GROVETON — The repairs on the city well are almost complete, and Groveton city officials have ended the Stage 4 drought contingency plan as of Monday.

However, the city has moved to a Stage 1 level of drought contingency, which requests residents voluntarily follow a pattern of odd- and even-numbered residences alternate days for watering lawns and flowerbeds.

Customers also are asked to limit or stop any non-essential water use, such as washing cars.

Water issues also were part of the discussion during the Sept. 25 meeting of the Groveton City Council.

Mayor Ralph Bennett said that at the water well and sewer plant, there is no type of security, and discussed with the council methods to keep people from tampering with the equipment, such as placing signs, additional lighting and security cameras.

The council approved seeking bids for installation.

The city will move forward on construction of water well 3. Bennett said the first phase is drilling, and second phase is to build a transmission line. The council and construction firm will have a preconstruction meeting on Wednesday.

Bennett said the project is funded by the Texas Water Development Board.

The council also discussed forming a committee to tackle dilapidated houses in the community. Bennett said the city has passed other nuisance ordinances, but does not have one specifically for structures.

Bennett said that junk property depreciates the value of neighboring properties, and the city will try to address it to clean up community in hopes to draw more residents to the area.

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“This is long past due,” Bennett said. “I’m sure people in community will love to see us pass this.”

In other business, the council:

•tabled action on a well requested by Miranda Wooten;

•approved a request from the Groveton Community Association to begin preparations for Christmas on the Square, which is scheduled for 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 9;

•tabled a request from Gather and Graze for $95,000 for council members to get more information;

•proclaimed Oct. 19 as Christine Kennedy Day, as she turned 100 years old;

•designated the Trinity County News-Standard as the official newspaper of record;

•approved Peoples State Bank as the city’s depository;

•adopted a property tax rate of .9100 per $100, down from last year’s rate .9479, and adopted a budget of $1,698,555; and

•approved payment of the Inframark bill of $6,886.64, and discussed dredging of sewer plant, which has been completed.