GROVETON — The Groveton City Council will use city funds to replace two fire hydrants for the city.
At the regular meeting on Oct. 26, council members approved the expenditure of up to $7,500 for the work after finding out that they could not apply for grant funds.
Mayor Hayden Lee said that the council was informed by the Texas Municipal League that grant funds could not be used for either the hydrants or a separate project to create a helipad for life-flight organizations.
Payment for the hydrants will come from the city’s fund balance, he said.
In other business, the council:
- approved seeking loan forgiveness from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which if approved could erase 70 percent of the city’s debt incurred for work on the water system;
- delayed approval on pressure washing the elevated storage tank for information from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on whether the inside of the tank needed to be done as well;
- approved a $43,000 donation from the Economic Development Corporation for a piece of equipment for Mathew Evans Construction;
- postponed discussion on sewer plant upgrades;
- approved seeking bids for flooring at Ethel Reese Public Library. Lee said the library needs to install flooring for rolling chairs for computers;
- approved closing the Square on Dec. 12 for Christmas on the Square, and again on Jan. 30, 2027, for a Lions Club event; and
- approved handling property and evidence from the now closed police department based on advice from the city attorney. Lee said the building needs to be cleaned, but before that can happen, evidence needs to be handled properly.
