At their regular scheduled meeting on October 15 the Parsons city council gave approval to obtain financing for the purchase of the former Tucker County Logging property, located in the Bretz community on Route 219. This property will be put to use as the new city maintenance garage. Financing for the $175,000 will be through the Grant County Bank with interest (or more) payments to be made and a final balloon payment due in June. If, for any reason, the balloon payment cannot be met, the city will have the option of a loan renewal. The city also proposes to sell the property where the current garage is located.
Kevin White, representing the Parsons Volunteer Fire Department, attended the meeting to ask for the city’s financial assistance. White said, “Let me be clear, we can pay our bills and the doors will remain open, but aging equipment is becoming a financial challenge.” White told the council that the fire department is very grateful for all the help it has been providing and wanted them to know how appreciative the department is. Mayor and council replied in kind. White went on to say that the PVFD had recently had their audit and were found to be 100% compliant. He asked council about the possibility of a recurring funding of $10,000 per year out of the Harman Fund to be used as an equipment purchasing fund. Council asked White to please present a proposal/request in writing and council would review it and see what, if any, help it could provide.
In other business, council agreed to purchase a Metro Tech Line tracer at a cost of $2,950 for the water department. The city has been borrowing a tracer for the past few months and the purchase was deemed necessary, especially in light of approaching winter. Council also voted to approve the city expenses and financial statements as presented.
The date and theme for the Annual Christmas Parade has been set. The theme will be “HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS” and the parade will begin at 6 p.m. on December 14, 2013. Please contact city hall if you have any questions or would like to participate.
Council agreed to allow TCHS Homecoming Committee the use of the city streets on the evening of Friday, October 25, 2013 for the annual Homecoming Parade
In other business the members voted to join Governor Earl Ray Tomblin in proclaiming the week of November 24-30, 2013 as Christian Heritage Week.
Council agreed to a request from Tucker County Relay for Life Committee to use the downtown streets on Saturday, June 28, 2014 for their 2014 Relay event. Council was excited to have the event located in the downtown area instead of R.H. Armstrong Field where it has been located in previous years.
Council voted to pursue the recommendation of the planning committee to bill and collect a completely voluntary donation to the Tucker County Ambulance Authority Board. An agreement/contract will be ironed out and the council will then vote on whether to adopt such an agreement.
In closing the council wanted to thank all those who had assisted in any way with the fall decorations displayed downtown. They stated that they had received many compliments and wanted to pass those on to those who made it possible.
The next meeting of the Parsons City Council will be held at 6 p.m. on November 5, 2013 in the Council Chambers of the Charles W. (Bill) Rosenau Municipal Building located on Second Street. If you have an item you would like on the agenda, please contact Parsons Business Office at (304) 478-2311.