Playground construction begins on fun park

ROSSTON – June’s meeting of the Rosston City Council was held in Rosston Volunteer Fire Department stationMonday night.

This was because members of the Golden Star S.L. Young Chapter 359 was serving refreshments after the meeting.

The meeting kicked off with an update on the playground at the city’s fun park. Mayor Dale Quarles said construction started Monday morning, much to his surprise as no notice was given when the construction company would arrive. He told the panel this should be a quick project, weather permitting and the foundation should be finished by next week.

He informed the council he’s applying for a grant for the water tower to make repairs and install digital water meters. The grant will be for around $500,000. He will apply through the Arkansas Rural Development Agency as well as Arkansas Natural Resources. He pointed out this will take time and not happen overnight.

The city, he said, is also applying for a grant to expand city hall. The plan, should the grant be approved, will see the front wall of the building removed, the building expanded to include a meeting area for the city council along with offices for the mayor and treasurer. At this point, he told the panel, he’s getting floor plans drawn up for the project.

Rosston’s VFD received $3,700 in state turnback funds under Act 833. These funds can only be used for fire department needs and equipment.

A public meeting has been set for 6 p.m. on June 18 at the Rosston City Hall to prioritize community needs and apply for funding through the Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program. If approved, the money will be used to help purchase a new fire truck for the VFD.

These are federal funds received by the state and handled by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Quarles encourages all residents of Rosston to come to the meeting, which will include hot dogs and drinks.

With a 4-1 vote the council approve changing its meeting time from 6:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Quarles said by doing this it will help during Daylight Savings Time, and during the summer there’ll still be a few hours of light after the meetings.

Salary for the city recorder was tabled and will be addressed at the July meeting. Because no one ran for the position of recorder/treasure in the last election, the post was split with a treasure being hired as a city employee. However, the recorder post remains an elected position and can be filled by appointment.

It was pointed out if someone inside the city limits runs for the position in the 2020 election the office will be combined into one again.