Chester council takes next step in Pinky's saga
<p dir="ltr"><span>The Chester City Council took the next step in the process to tear down the former Pinky's Sugarland building at 1006 State St. by authorizing contact of a licensed asbestos contractor.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The city recently paid Quality Testing and Engineering for an asbestos survey of the 1800s-era building.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"There was asbestos found and we have to have it abated," said Chester Mayor Tom Page.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Page indicated that the city would probably contact the same abatement contractor, A&A Abatement, who did the work on former bar/restaurant Molly's Moon.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Molly's Moon, at the corner of Swanwick and State streets near Chester High School, was demolished in October 2014. It is now a vacant lot.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>In other action items on the light agenda, the council approved the tax increment financing (TIF) accounting for Quality Vending & Distribution Inc.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover noted that Quality Vending paid $2,362.07 in property taxes and is eligible to be reimbursed 75 percent for an amount of $1,772.03.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Lastly, the council approved purchasing a new copier for the Chester Police Department at a price of $2,420.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey noted that the machine also functions as his department's fax and printer and it was having problems with overheating. The CPD originally bought it used.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"I was told it is kinda old now and they're having problems repairing it," he said.</span>
<p dir="ltr">Roundup
<p dir="ltr"><span>• </span><span>The council approved bills and payroll in the amount of $37,092.84. Alderman Robert Platt noted the Cemetery Committee had one transaction - $325 - for a vault.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>• In his monthly report to the council, Coffey noted a department meeting on Wednesday and Narcan training for heroin overdoses.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Coffey noted that while his officers are not currently required to carry the medication, which is an opiate antidote, they are required to be certified to use it.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Coffey said that Officer Joe Crain is certified and will be training others in the department.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"I'm sure we will be mandated to carry that at some point in time," Coffey said.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Coffey also spoke on online training programs and how staff will be required to do at least one training program per month.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Lastly, Coffey spoke on getting rid of retired police vehicles that are clogging up the CPD's sally port.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"Some are in pretty rough shape," he said.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Coffey also cautioned the council on waiting too long to pay for the CPD's new squad car.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"If we wait past September, we'll be waiting a really long time," he said. "Payment is not required until it arrives."</span>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-8d3ca76c-4e32-2722-1d4b-473afca7cf8f"><span>• Chester Fire Chief Marty Bert reported his department received 12 calls for service in July, bringing the CFD's total to 62 for the year. He also added that firefighter Josh Louveau has completed his first module of the Firefighter II class and is starting on his next module.</span></span>