Carter asks Huntsville Council for demo grant aid

It was a sad request presented before the Huntsville City Council last week but one that has become a necessity for the county.

Susan Carter, Randolph County Presiding Commissioner, asked the council for help in applying for a demolition grant to remove the County Farm building located behind the Justice Center.

“How great it would be to have a couple million dollars to rehab it,” said Carter. “But we don’t have those kind of funds an it has become a liability to the county and to this town.”

Carter said the building was in such poor condition, the building assessor would not enter it. It was determined, however, that the building is full of asbestos and lead paint. That would eliminate the possibility of having county workers demolish and bury it themselves, which would go against DNR regulations.

Carter said the grant would have to be administered by the City of Huntsville since it is the owner of the building and the grant could be used for other demolition needed in the town.

Councilwoman Debbie Webster expressed her regret that the building couldn’t have been taken over by another entity and remodeled before it had gotten into such bad shape.

“It’s a horrible shame,” said Webster. “It’s a historical building and it’s come to this.”

In other action:

A task force was formed by members of the street committee, fire department and the city superintendent to investigate an issue brought before the council concerning an alley in need of repair.

Fire Chief Jeff Webster reported that a Westran Fire Auxiliary had formally organized. It currently has eight members and is expected to expand. Its purpose is to support the fire department and to assist other departments who come to help with fires. Webster said the group provided drinks and sandwiches who fought the February 20 fire in Huntsville. The group utilizes the support truck as a headquarters during fires.

Webster successfully requested permission on behalf of the auxiliary to use a building south of the fire house in which to store their equipment.

Webster also reported that two of his officers had completed training to become state certified instructors.

Police Chief Buddy Stuck presented the new schedule for April and indicated there would be somebody on duty days, nights and weekends with no lapping over.

The council agreed to investigate the possibility of installing a computer and monitors in the council chamber to allow the minutes to be paperless. It was suggested the cost saved in paper and labor used to produce the current minutes would offset the price of the technology.

The low bid was accepted from Todd Fuemmeler, Fuemmeler Mowing, for mowing the public cemetery. Fuemmeler has experience mowing property for Moberly Public Schools and other cemeteries.

The council agreed to make a donation of $50 to Westran Project Prom.

The Huntsville City Council meets the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the city council chambers.