Chester council approves new roads

By Michael G. Maness

CHESTER – Mayor Robert Poynter facilitated a council meeting on Monday evening Feb. 6 that approved the taking of bids and onward progress for two road improvements.

Civil Engineer Nick Hoelscher, of firm Goodwin, Lasiter, and Strong, presented the new work-ups for the Ballpark Loop and Veal Street. After explaining the revisions and with the council’s approval, Hoelscher assured the council that bidding will commence soon. The specs included improvements for 1,254 feet of Ballpark Loop and 870 feet of Veal Street.  This was exciting and the plans were approved unanimously.

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The council also heard from GrantWorks’ representative Robert Davila, who gave a presentation the federal and state requirements for the Community Development Block Grant and how Chester had met all of them, which included that the contractor’s use of a minimal percentage of Section 3 workers. Those workers need to come from below economic status limits set by HUD.

At the close of the council meeting, Councilman Bryan Davis brought up a petition that has gained traction for a new Dollar Store or Dollar General. A lively discussion ensued on overall economic development ideas, including the long-sought dollar store, a restaurant or fast-food entity, and even a mini-Brookshires. Poynter mentioned he had been in touch with Tyler County Judge Milton Powers, and he asked for help in getting property valuations for contacting businesses to follow through with business solicitations.

The council approved other regular business, including the previous minutes and the financials.