The City of Chester swore in a new patrolman at Monday’s monthly meeting.  Mike Campbell was sworn in by City Judge Kurt Parkins.  Chief Chuck Stanley that Campbell already had police experience and will complete the necessary course work to be certified in West Virginia.   Chief Stanley also that the Department will also have a second applicant Kyle Swan, 19, to be sworn in at the next Council meeting.

Approval was given to a one-time, salary adjustment of $250.00 for part-time and $500.00 for full-time City employees.  City Clerk Tara  Ayers suggested that the tax be added on to the amount allocated so that the employees receive $250.00 and $500.00 rather than that amount minus taxes.  She noted that New Cumberland handle’s the one-time salary adjustment in that manner.

A request from the Chester Beautification Committee and the Chester Lion’s Club for a donation of $500 to assist in decorating the Virginia Garden Gazebo was approved.  The City will take $250 from the General Fund and $250 from the Historical Fund.  A Community Light Up Night will take place on Friday, December 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  There will be a Santa Claus for the children and free hot chocolate.  There also will be a tree designated as a community ornament tree where residents can place an ornament of their choice.

According to Chester Beautification Committee President, the committee is planning to place lights on about 230-250 feet of the white fencing  at the Virginia Garden Gazebo area.   The Committee also plans on getting a banner made that will say “Welcome to Chester, Merry Christmas.”

In other business, Council:

**Accepted receipts of $135,127.34

**Paid bills of $60,923.94

**Placed receipts of $7,215.00 into the Building fund;

**Paid bills of $5,016.00 from the Building fund;

**Heard that a 50/50 grant had been received from BHJ and work will begin in writing the grant;

**Awarded engineering bids to Stanter Engineering. A second and third bid progression was established in the event problems are encountered.

**Took no action on a request to not charge a municipal fee for uninhabital apartments from the owner of Riverside Apartments;

**Heard the Annual Report on the Policeman’s and Fireman’s Pension and Relief Fund;

**Heard from Emily Dodd, case manager from Healthways, regarding the services being offered in Chester by the agency;

**Voted to put a lien of the following properties: Dennis Tate, 148 Montana Avenue; Patrick Wern, 311 Adolphus Street and Melissa Meredith, 237 Louisiana Avenue.  The property owners are in arrears on the payment of the Municipal Service Fee.