Chester City Council approves new firefighter

<span>With only two agenda items on the docket, it was a short meeting on Monday for the Chester City Council.</span>

<span>The council approved Mike Maciura, who has been working at Menard Correctional Center since 1995, as the city's newest firefighter.</span>

<span>Chester Fire Chief Marty Bert told the council his department has room on its roster for the addition and the appointment takes effect immediately.</span>

<span>Bert told media after the meeting that Maciura is not eligible to respond to calls for service until he has received the proper training.</span>

<span>The other agenda item was a housekeeping measure pertaining to a state statute that allows for line item appropriations within funds.</span>

<span>City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover explained that this is done every year to balance out certain funds that have been over-appropriated with ones that were under-appropriated.</span>

<span>"Just making sure everything is consistent with the appropriations ordinance," he said.</span>

<span>In his monthly report to the council, Bert said his department received eight calls for service during the month of March, the most significant of which was the coal fire at the Baldwin Energy Complex on March 11.</span>

<span>The CFD was paged for overnight coverage during the incident. Bert said his agency sent four firefighters to relieve those who had been there on a 12-hour shift.</span>

<span>"The others were minor calls such as washdowns and smoke alarms," Bert said.</span>

<span>Bert said the CFD will be conducting a training fire on Tuesday at an old farmhouse on Elmwood Drive south of Chester. Firefighters will conducting a similar exercise on April 19 for a shed along Route 3.</span>

<span>Finally, Bert reported his agency will be participating in extrication training next month.</span>

<span>Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey reported James Brockmeyer has graduated from the police academy and is moving into the Field Training Officer (FTO) program starting Tuesday.</span>

<span>Coffey noted that his K-9 unit was recently requested for a search at Menard and that calls for service are increasing as the season transitions into Spring.</span>

<span>"Our activity is ticking up," he said. "That coincides with the weather getting warmer. That is normal, but we are getting busier."</span>

<span>Coffey also highlighted the upcoming Kids Health Fair at Memorial Hospital on April 23; the COPS program is halfway through this year's schedule and a presentation to Chester Grade School faculty on April 8 regarding illegal drugs.</span>

<span>"We bring them up to speed on what to look for as what types of drugs are out there," Coffey said, adding that a similar presentation will be made to the Parent/Teacher Organization on April 12.</span>

Roundup

<span>The Evergreen Cemetery Clerk's report was approved as read, which consisted of seven transactions totaling $1,375.</span>

<span>The next meeting of the Chester City Council is scheduled for Monday, April 18, at 7 p.m. It is open to the public.</span>

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