Sunset Development, LLC’s application for five mobile home sites at 9th & Collins in Chester was denied by City Council at Monday’s meeting. Mayor Ken Morris said that City Solicitor Mike Adams had advised Council that the application, submitted by Sunset’s owner J. Robert Reed, had not provided any models, make or dimensions of the actual trailers to be placed on the lots. A lawsuit filed by Reed in Hancock County Circuit Clerk, asserted that the lots in Sunset’s RV met the criteria for five mobile home sites under the City’s mobile home ordinance. Former Hancock County Deputy Chuck Stanley was approved by Council as Chester’s new Police Chief. Stanley replaces Chief Todd Murray who submitted his letter of resignation at Monday’s meeting. Murray was appointed by Sheriff-elect Scott Gittings as Chief Deputy for the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office. Gittings, who was serving as Deputy Chief of Police in Chester, also submitted his resignation. Both Murray and Gitting’s resignations are effective Dec. 31, 2020. They will assume their new County responsibilities January 1, 2021.
Tyler Campbell was appointed as patrolman. Campbell is an Oak Glen graduate and is currently employed as a patrolman in the City of Wellsburg. He will assume his new position Dec. 16.
Following a public hearing in which no residents showed up to oppose the imposition of a 1 % Sales & Use Tax, Council passed the second and final reading of the enabling ordinance and adopted the ordinance. The change was made possible when Chester was granted Home Rule Status in January. The new taxing structure will go into effect July 2021.
The second reading of an ordinance increasing the utility rate and associated costs for water and sewer service was approved and adopted.
In other business, Council:
**Placed receipts of $95,158.19 in the General Fund;
**Paid bills of $106,760.89 out of the General Fund;
**Placed receipts of $5,608.00 in the Building Fund;
**Paid bills of $963.34 out of the Building Fund;
**Approved the purchase of lap tops for the Police Department contingent upon CARES Act funds to pay for the purchase;
**Approved payment of $100 to Stacy Fouty, Court Reporting Services, Inc. for a deposition of Assessor Joe Alongi taken in the Sunset Development lawsuit;
**Approved payment of $1,783.40 for the cleaning and sanitizing of the Municipal Building by Brad’s Cleaning;
**Approved payment of $2,560.00 for the sanitization of the Multipurpose room and kitchen.