Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Rosston Council Looking At Station

It took the Rosston City Council less than 20 minutes to conduct business Thursday, Oct. 1.

Of course, there being only two items of business helped keep the meeting flowing quickly.

Item one involved whether or not the city wants to apply for a grant to either expand the current fire station or build a new one.

While the new firetruck ordered by the Rosston Volunteer Fire Department is still being repaired in Memphis, it has been learned the truck is too big for the existing station.

Rosston Mayor Lewis Jackson obtained grant applications and told the council he would have to get cost estimates on either renovating the current station or building a new one before they could be filled out.

"I wish we didn't have to get a grant," Edna Kelly, a member of the council said. "We could borrow the money because you have to pay a higher rate on grants with the match."

Jackson pointed out labor could be used for the city's matching portion of any grant it received for this project. The city, he said, would have to get cost estimates from a contractor on what the labor would run.

"After it's over with," he said, "The city wouldn't be out much."

Kelly then told the others she didn't understand why a new building was needed, as the one the city has could be expanded and is paid for.

Dorothy Ward, also on the panel, told Kelly a new building would have rooms for training sessions and meetings.

Still, Kelly voiced opposition to the idea of a new building, saying the city is doing well financially and is getting its bills paid.

Jackson said the next grant cycle isn't until Dec. 29, so no decision has to be made immediately.

One of the grant applications Jackson got is for a community development grant. He said if the council wants to build a new fire station, the old one could be used as a community center. He suggested the council members talk with their constituents.

Kelly then suggested having a public meeting to get input on the matter. This, too, will be decided later.

The other item on the agenda concerned whether or not council members should get paid if they don't attend meetings.

Jackson said the mayor of a nearby city had contacted him about it, saying there was a conflict.

This mayor, he said, told him its council members don't get paid if they miss meetings.

Rosston, however, has no ordinances concerning this issue, and the council members are paid whether they are there or not.

Jackson left it up to the council on deciding whether or not a change was needed, telling the panel he was just bringing it to their attention.

The three council members present agreed all should get paid if meetings are missed unless it becomes a chronic situation.

From there, the group discussed the city's plans for Christmas food baskets this year.

Ward said 15 baskets were delivered last year and it wasn't enough. She said at least 10 more are needed.

The council will be contacting different businesses for donations to help the needy in Rosston.

When asked about the situation with cable television, Jackson said the CCC, the company providing cable service to the city, sent out a crew and removed all of the lines, even those attached to houses.

The city, he said, was never contacted about the company's decision, nor was it told the lines would be removed.

Jackson called the company and got its voice mail answering service. Though a message was left, it has yet to be returned.