Chester City Council debates asbestos abatement
<span>CHESTER -- It took roughly 40 minutes for the Chester City Council to work through its agenda on Monday, the majority of which was spent discussing an asbestos abatement bid for a property on State Street.</span>
<span>The property in question, located at 1945 State St., is privately owned, but is mortgaged. It is located at the corner of State Street and Swanwick Street across from Chester High School.</span>
<span>"We're wanting to have the building torn down because No. 1, it's not safe and No. 2, it's an eyesore," said Chester Mayor Tom Page.</span>
<span>The council debated over whether to accept the low bid of $21,776 from A&A Abatement of Du Quoin for the asbestos removal or pursue a bid for demolition.</span>
<span>"We've seen this before," said Chester Alderwoman Nancy Crossland. "We're not in the real estate business and how we recoup the money on this will be tricky."</span>
<span>City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover said someone is interested in the property.</span>
<span>"I don't think you'll have anyone close to paying what we've invested in it," he said.</span>
<span>The council later voted to accept A&A's bid, with the money being filed as a lien against the property.</span>
<span>"It seems like we keep getting stuck with these properties and it's frustrating," Crossland said.</span>
<span>The council also approved a $3,700 proposal from Quality Testing and Engineering for core samples at the location of the former Texaco station that was demolished July 15 and 16.</span>
<span>The samples are to test the soil at the corner of Opdyke and State streets to determine if it is environmentally compliant for the upcoming project to add a right turn lane for truck traffic.</span>
<span>"From what I understand, they're going to test the soil and make sure it's good to go," Page said.</span>
<span>Alderman Dan Ohlau asked the council what would happen if the testing found any problems and was told the city would be responsible for cleaning up any issues.</span>
<span>In other new business, the council approved the installation of a low-level alarm for the water tower located at Chester Grade School.</span>
<span>"If the water tower goes down, everybody loses water pressure," said Chester Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Tim Crow. "I feel this is very essential for the water system because we're not manning it 24 hours a day."</span>
<span>Crow said the alarm includes an automatic dialer at the plant, which sends out an automated message if the alarm goes off.</span>
<span>The Chester Police Department's dispatch center will have the top priority on the phone list, followed by Crow.</span>
<span>The council was also set to discuss changes to Skateland's hours of operation, but Chester Recreation Director Patti Carter was unable to attend the meeting and that item was postponed as a result.</span>
<span>During the public comment section of the meeting, a city resident asked the council about the stray cats in town.</span>
<span>"We don't have a policy on stray cats yet," Page said. "(Police Chief) Ryan (Coffey) and I have had discussions on the matter and we hope to have a resolution soon."</span>
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