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Chester city council: Full-time city workers to get 3% increase in pay

Full-time Chester employees will get a 3% increase in pay in the coming fiscal year, while part-time employees will get an additional $1 per hour, the Chester City Council agreed on Monday.

The 3% increase caps at $1,000. The $1 an hour raises go to part-time adult workers, part-time dispatchers and part-time officers, as well as the City Hall janitor.

The council approved an ordinance setting salaries for appointed officials by position title: The Sewer Superintendent, Water Plant Superintendent, and Gas Superintendent will be paid $57,425; the Maintenance Superintendent will receive $53,007.92; and the Water Distribution Superintendent will receive $52,221.

The Cemetery Sexton will receive $58,401; the Chief of Police's salary will be $78,035; the Code Enforcement Officer will receive $48,204; the Park Superintendent will receive $46,659 and the Recreation Director will be paid $34,000.

The council also gave its approval to hiring four summer student workers - three for the parks department and one for the gas department.

<b>Other business</b>

The council approved an ordinance which updated its membership within the Interstate Municipal Gas Agency, this was necessary as two other municipalities dropped their memberships.

The council agreed to a lease agreement with Pitney Bowes for the City Hall and approved the purchase of a new copier for the City Hall as well. The city will also receive maintenance on the copier and actually be paying less for the machine than their previous lease.

The council approved the annual agreement for the Cole Park House and approved two appointments by the Mayor; Sara Dillman to the Parks and Recreation Committee and Mike Fogerson to the Planning Commission.

Mayor Tom Page reported that he had the opportunity to meet individually with all the new Council members and while they may not agree on everything, he believes they will all work together for the betterment of the City.

The Council was addressed by Crystal Niemeyer, who questioned the suspension of service notice she got from the city concerning her gas service. This came about because of the spike in bills the city experienced back in March. Neimeyer said she thought she had 90 days to pay that bill, but City Clerk Bethany Berner explained that anyone wanting the extension needed to set up those payments during that billing cycle.

Niemeyer said she has lived in Chester for 17 years and has never before been late paying her bill. Berner asked Niemeyer to wait until the conclusion of the meeting, so they could meet and see what could be done to help her.