Troup water storage up in the air
BY SUZANNE LOUDAMY Staff writer

At the invitation of City Administrator Russ Obar, Troup utilities director Jon Hall addressed the council about an urgent issue concerning the city's overhead water storage. Hall advised the council of a recent inspection of the city's water towers and the disrepair that they were found to be in.

"The substandard work that was done in the past few years is really showing," Hall said. "And you're really paying for it now."

Hall said the best use of the city's money and the best move for the city would be to replace the east tower rather than to repair it.

Mayor John Whitsell said that whatever is done, it needs to be big enough to cover the current needs and handle the future.

Hall and Whitsell stressed the importance of swift preparation and action on this issue.

Hall also addressed a current problem taking place on Duval with the sewer. He and his men have been dealing with the problem and with Texas Department of Transportation and what they will and will not allow to be done to the highway to make the necessary repairs. Those repairs continue.

The council agreed on the date and format of the public forum to discuss and hear input on a proposed zoning ordinance. Citizens are invited to attend the forum on Tuesday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the council's regular meeting place, 201 N. Carolina. (See related story, this page.)

The council will hold a workshop following the public meeting.

In other business, approval was given to a resolution presented by Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Employee Benefits Pool in support of discussions currently being held between them and East Texas Medical Center. This action would hopefully bring forth a decision that would allow city employees the opportunity to use ETMC as well as Trinity Mother Frances facilities for medical needs.

Two other items that required no action but were discussed were:

-- the city should look into offering proficiency pay for certification levels of police officers as well as other employees who must complete continuing training for their positions;

-- it has been quite some time since the last meeting with the volunteer fire department and council representatives should visit with the department to discuss any needs the city might not be aware of.