These mintues remain unofficial until approved by the council

at the next meeting.  All official mintues can be accessed at the

Town Office.  

Regular Meeting

 

The Town of Chester Council held the Regular Scheduled Council meeting on May 14, 2025, at 6:00 pm.

 

Members Present: Mayor James Dahlen Council Persons, Sonja Dahlen, Scott Decker, Rachel Ghekiere, Garrett Graff, Tina Neer and Jim Sivils

 

Members Absent:

 

Staff Present:  John Kleinsasser (PWD)

                        Ashley Wickum (Clerk/Treasurer)                

 

Guests: Dennis Snyder- Horseshoe Club

 

1. Mayor James Dahlen called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm

 

2. Pledge of Allegiance

 

3. Public Comments: Dennis Snyder wanted to present the Town with a check for $1,068.09 on behalf of the Horseshoe Club for the pool. The club is no longer active, and they would like to make the donation to purchase items needed at the pool.  The Council thanked Dennis and the club for their donation.  Dennis left the meeting.    No other public comment. 

 

4. Rachel Ghekiere made a motion to accept the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting, April 8, 2025, with a correction to spelling on lines 2,10 & 12. Tina Neer seconded the motion. Motion to approve the minutes passed with all voting ayes.

 

5. Claims were presented to the council for approval. Ashley Wickum updated the council that ck# 20622 was cancelled and reissued with ck#20878, ck # 20808 was voided. Claim #29248 from March 2025 to Robert Peccia & Associates was canceled and the amount is included into the claim this month.   Sonja Dahlen made the motion to approve the claims submitted for payment. Ck # 20879-20906, electronic payment -99952-99953 & Payroll Advances Ck #20907. Tina Neer seconded the motion. Motion to approve claims passed with all voting ayes.

 

6. The council reviewed the adjustments and journal entries made in April. Rachel Ghekiere made the motion to approve the JV & Adjustments. Tina Neer seconded the motion. Motion passed with all voting ayes.

 

7. Sheriff’s Office Report: Provided to the Council.

 

8. New Business:

 

1. Approval of New Hires and Wages:
   • Operator: One application was received, and an interview was held. The applicant has 12 years of experience with the City of Havre.  No water or sewer licenses.  The council discussed position and wages.  Council discussed Public Works Director position and wages. 
   • 13 Lifeguard applications were presented to the council. Manager Lily Wickum believes all would be good employees. 

Sonja Dahlen made the motion to hire all the lifeguards at the current starting rate for first year lifeguards, and starting rate plus years of experience for returning lifeguards as set at the April meeting, to offer the operator position to Jayson Burrington at $26.00/hr. and to move David Ghekiere to the Public Works Director position at $28.50/hr.  Tina Neer seconded the motion.  Garrett Graff inquired if John Kleinsasser would still be working as Temporary Public Works Director to provide training?  The council agreed that this would be the best plan.  Rachel Ghekiere abstained from voting due to family relationships with Journie Ghekiere and David Ghekiere.   Motion passed with all other council members voting ayes. 

 

2. Approval of Building Permit
   • David & Nikki Lindsay: 210 Main Street- repair and replace North and West side of back fence.
   • Steven & Yvonne Layton: 115 West Quincy Ave – Greenhouse
   • Mike Siebenaler: 623 5^th Street West- Wire fence in front yard
   • Vicki Sipes: 227 West Jackson Ave- Fence and Connex Container
   • The Well: 22 1^ST Street East- Pre-built shed

 

Building permits were presented to the council, along with an additional permit for Scott Decker: 222 West Jefferson- concrete slab.  Sonja Dahlen made the motion to approve all building permits as presented. Tina Neer seconded the motion.  Motion passed with all voting ayes. 

 

3. Approval of Swimming Pool Agreement- Pool agreement was presented.  The swim meet will be June 20-22.  This is during swimming lessons. 

Sonja Dahlen made the motion to approve the swimming pool agreement.  Scott Decker seconded the motion.  Motion passed with all voting ayes.     

 

 

9. Old Business: Mayor Dahlen updated the council that the water report from RPA was emailed

out to everyone by Ashley Wickum.  It will be put on the agenda to discuss in June. 

 

10. Mayor Report/ Additional Agenda Items: Mayor Dahlen is working with R. Woods regarding her property at 534 Taylor Street NE. She is getting the title cleared and then will be selling it. 

 

11. PWD update: John Kleinsasser, PWD, updated the council that the new garbage truck is being repaired. They are fixing leaks at the pool and will have to do some replumbing to address the issues, with hopes that it will not happen again in the future.  Amtrak came and is taking bids for removing the cars.  Lakeside has not been up to fix the sewer line on the north side yet.  However, the grease trap at the Senior Center was emptied.  They thought this would fix the problem at the Ford Garage lift station, but they are still having problems.  He has priced out the new boiler at the pool and it will be at least $38,000. 

 

12. Clerk update: Ashley Wickum updated the council that starting October 2025, all meetings will need to be recorded and posted on the website, they will need to remain on the website for one year. Frank Leeds will be starting the valley gutter project this month.  The chipseal project will not be happening this year, but there is a pavement project happening at the airport that the town may be able to work with to do some of the large patches that need to be fixed.  Weed and tree letters will be going out and she will be trying a new process of tracking and notifying property owners, hopefully this will help to get property owners to clean up their properties.  Ashley believes there will need to be a budget amendment for the Fire Relief fund, she will be looking at the budget numbers to make sure no other amendments need to be made.  She is still working on the water and sewer policy information.   

 

13. Council: Scott Decker has contacted 3 companies about sprinkler systems at the park. We will use Amtrak money for this as well as for the 12 new trees planted at the park.  Tina Neer wanted the town to know that the Prairie Homes Apartments will be having a vehicle towed from the street.

 

14. Rachel Ghekiere made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Tina Neer seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 pm.

 

Submitted by_______________________     Approved by_________________________                                                     Clerk                                                           Mayor