Council, residents discuss police

By Tony Farkas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

GROVETON — The Groveton City Council discussed the future of the city Police Department at its regular meeting on Dec. 18.

David Robison questioned the council about the department’s status and questioned the cost of having the Sheriff’s Department covering the City. He expressed concern that the town is not being patrolled.

Mayor Ralph Bennett pointed out that constables assist patrolling school zones and said the department will be staffed in the future.

Robison also said that residents are “suffering” under the weight of water bills, and suggested the council members voluntarily forego their compensation of a discounted water bill as well as the Mayor’s monthly compensation of $500, as an act of good faith to the residents.

The council, later in the meeting, renewed the annual compensation, but took no action on the police department..

In other business, the council:

•discussed a Black History Celebration in February 2024 with the Trinity County Historical Commission, to be held at the Groveton ISD Auditorium;

Related Articles

City discusses needs with new law enforcement contract

Onalaska council approves grant program resolutions

•approved payment of $6,661.13 to Inframark for water and wastewater services for November, and discussed the month’s operations;

•discussed a proposal from Larry Jones with Texas Rebuild LLC for a lead and copper service line inventory project at a cost $14,065;

•discussed the City Library’s annual stats, and the upcoming move to its new facility;

•approved a municipal maintenance agreement between the Texas Department of Transportation and the City of Groveton;

•renewed the annual compensation for the Mayor and council members for 2024;

•discussed developments at the Fiscal Planning Committee meeting held on Dec. 11; and

•discussed the impending retirement of City Secretary Donna Dial, which will be effective Feb. 9, 2024, after 22 years of service.