Trinity County News - Breakout

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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.

“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.

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About 12 acres of land burned after a felled tree downed a power line near Boomtown Road. Courtesy photo

TCNS staff

TRINITY — A spate of fires in Trinity County cropped up over the weekend, and firefighters remind residents that a burn ban remains in place.

Trinity Assistant Fire Chief Keith Johnson said that the department responded to the Lake L Subdivision for several large brush fires burning on property in Thomas Lane.

An hour later, firefighters returned to the property as another fire had cropped up.

The owner was contacted, who claimed no knowledge of the fires. However, Johnson said a citation for violating the burn ban was issued.

On Saturday on Boomtown Road, the Trinity and Groveton fire departments responded when a fallen tree broke a power line, which started a fire.

Johnson said that someone was cutting a tree down which led to the blaze, which burned about 12 acres.

On Sunday, Trinity returned to that fire which had reignited, but the fire is now contained.

Johnson said that what little rain the area received does not make it all right to burn; the burn ban remains in place until the county removes it. At its meeting on Sept. 26, the Trinity County Commissioners Court opted to keep burn ban in place.

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Special to the News-Standard

AUSTIN — Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson reminds Texans to prepare for the upcoming constitutional amendment election on Nov. 7.

“Texans will have the opportunity to vote on 14 proposed amendments to the state constitution, and some local governments will also hold elections this Nov.,” said Nelson. “Now is a good time to take note of upcoming election deadlines and prepare.”

Important dates include:

•Oct. 10 - The last day to register to vote in time for the Nov. 7 election

•Oct. 27 - Last day to apply for ballot by mail

•Oct. 23 - Early voting begins

•Nov. 3 - Last day of early voting

•Nov. 7 – Election Day, polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Additionally, after the passage of House Bill 357 during the 88th Legislative Session, the Secretary of State’s office is now required to set the date of a runoff election resulting from an election held on a uniform election date. The runoff date for the Nov. 7 election will be Dec. 9.

While there are no runoffs for constitutional amendments, runoffs may be required for some local and special elections.

This information and all the details for casting a ballot can be found at VoteTexas.gov, Texas’ official voting resource.

Explanatory statements for the constitutional amendments from the Office of the Secretary are available online and the Texas Legislative Council offers Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments complete with background information for each amendment.

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TCNS staff

GROVETON — While work on the well feeding the city of Groveton with water continues, it remains incomplete, and city officials caution that water conservation measures remain in place.

Mayor Ralph Bennett said Weisinger Well Co. has removed the sand from the well and will begin repairs Monday, as well as installing a new pump.

If all goes as planned the well should be up and running by the end of the week, Bennett said.

“I have signed the construction contract for the new water well, which has been sent to Texas Water Development Board for approval,” he said. “Please continue to conserve water as much as possible.”

The Stage 4 water use restrictions include:

•no irrigation of landscaped areas.

•no use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, or other vehicle.

•no use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, or jacuzzi-type pools

•no operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes except where necessary to support aquatic life.

•use of water from hydrants shall be limited to firefighting related activities, or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety and welfare.

Water use defined as non-essential or prohibited include:

•Washdown of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, or other hard surfaced areas.

•Use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection.

•Use of water for dust control.

•Flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street.

•Failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leaks.

For more information, contact City Hall at (936) 642-1122 with any questions or concerns.