Rosston council talks water, phones and baseball

By Staff, 03/12/19 12:55 PM

ROSSTON – It didn’t take long for the Rosston City Council to breeze through its March meeting

Monday night.

The meeting began with the council approving a measure to replace the scales and exhaust fans for the water department. According to Tim Wood, the operator for the Rosston Water Department, neither the scales nor the fan are operating at this time. The problem, he told the panel, is there was a leak and chlorine, which is used to disinfect the water supply, damaged the fan and scales beyond repair.

Wood pointed out chlorine is toxic and corrosive. The building involved, he said, has to be ventilated to protect the equipment. Measurements, he continued, can’t be done without the scales. These measurements are to maintain the proper amount of chlorine for the system.

According to Wood, Rosston’s water supply is of such good quality only chlorine is needed for disinfecting purposes. He told the council if these repairs weren’t made the Arkansas Department of Health would come back and fine the city.

Brandon Rhodes, with the Nevada School District, talked to the panel about the Rosston Baseball Park. He said the project started six or seven years ago, with land purchased by the Rosston Baseball Association (RBA) and turned over to the City of Rosston so it could apply for grants. One grant was obtained and used for dirt work on the property, with 20,000 yards of topsoil brought in to cover the gravel. The next step is to get fencing for the baseball fields. Rhodes said he thinks it will cost around $20,000 to do this. The association has the lights, which will need to be installed.

According to Rhodes, there’s room on the property for three fields and a concession stand: one for baseball, one for softball and, if desired, one for T-ball. However, he said the area for the T-ball field could be used as a playground, or small park. He told the council he has the plans and will bring them to City Hall later.

The question was raised about using some of the property for a skateboard park. Rosston Mayor Dale Quarles, shot that down for liability reasons. He said he doesn’t want to see anyone get hurt.

Rhodes pointed out the RBA bought liability insurance annually.

The third order of business was a cell phone for the water operator. Councilman Kathy Dillard suggested the city furnish a phone for the operator so he doesn’t have to use his personal cell phone, and the city’s phone number would be made public.

Quarles said such a phone, if purchased, would belong to the city to conduct city business with. The phone, he added, will need to have internet access. After a brief discussion, the council voted to purchase a Straight Talk phone and go with the $45 a month plan.

The city will be participating in a celebration for the Nevada Blue Jays for being runner-up in the state basketball championship. Councilman Sally Muldrew was put in charge and will be seeking donations to put on a hamburger feed for the team. The menu, as planned, will be hamburgers, smoked sausages, fries, baked beans and dessert. The celebration will be held at the Rosston Fire Station.

However, a date for the celebration hasn’t been set yet. Muldrew pointed out Spring Break is next week and prom will be coming up soon. The celebration will possibly be sometime in April.

The council discussed putting up a sign for the Jays, recognizing their accomplishment.