WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CHESTER
Channel 10
A cooperation between the Chester Grade School and the City of Chester has landed the use of Channel 10 through Cable TV. Now we are able to broadcast events, post announcements and upcoming community events, relay emergency notices and much more to the citizens of Chester. Advertise your community event or business on Channel 10. Contact the Chester City Hall Mayor's Office or Chester Grade School.
Popey & Friends Character Trail
The Popeye & Friends Character Trail is a trail of Popeye characters which are granite statue placed in various areas around Chester. Popeye has been standing in Segar Park for over 30 years. Now we have added his hamburger eating friend "Wimpy" at the Gazebo Park in September '06 with overwelming donations which are engraved on the base of the statue. Donations started pouring in for the next statue which is "Olive Oyle, Sweet Pea and Jeep which stands downtown near the Randolph County Courthouse. Again with donations engraved on the base. She was erected and unveiled during the September festival Popeye's Picnic in '07. During the Popeye Picnic festivities in 2008 the unveiling of "Bluto" (Brutus) took place among a large crow of spectators. He was erected at the intersection of Swanwick Street and W. Holmes Street near Buena Vista Bank. Plans are underway for several more characters as well in the coming years. This trail will be an adventure for those seeking out all the characters from "Popeye the Sailorman" films. 2009 calls for the Castor Oyl & Whiffle Hen to be erected at Chester Memorial Hospital. "Seahag" Statue to be erected at Chester Wal-Mart store area.
Sewer Renovation Project
This large project has been underway for several months. Chester hired a contracter to replace gravity line along Route 150, renovate lift stations #6, #7, #8 and #10. Extended gravity main to the new Assisted Living Facility. New pipeline from lift station #6 to our main trunkline at riverfront. This project is at its completion.
Buena Vista Hill Project
The lower half of Buena Vista Street (Rock Bridge Road) has been resurfaced and completed with new utilities, sidewalks and curb/guttering. Upper half of Buena Vista Street will be renovated in the future.
OSLAD Grant Award for Cohen Recreational Complex
The first phase of the OSLAD program is completed. Three new softball diamonds with fencing have been constructed. A new parking area and the new walking/exercise/bike path is also finished. People have already begun to use the walking/bike path in late '07. The new parking area was available for use in Spring '08. The next phase of the project would be lighting for the fields, shelter/concession area and restrooms. The new softball diamonds will be available for use in Spring of 2009. Committee has begun to look into additional grants for expansion.
Tree Project
Alderman Dean Cook worked very hard with AmerenIP in getting the large hacked up trees which were under the power lines cut down along the main streets in Chester and replace them with smaller sized trees from Forest Releaf of Missouri. Trees such as Red Buds were planted in place of the ones that were cut down and these will not grow into power lines when mature. The city was paid $100.00 per tree by AmerenIP to have them taken down. There were 43 trees throughout town and the $4300.00 was then used to invest in trees that were planted throughout the city and in the parks. Hopefully we can continue to utilize this wonderful program.
Decorative Stop Signs & Lights
The Beautification Commission has worked hard to implement the decorative stop signs throughout the main streets of Chester. Beautification Committee is also working on a city decorative lighting program among various other projects such as the Take Pride Award winners for residential and commercial properties in Chester. New decorative lights have been purchased to be installed from Evergreen Cemetery toward Hardee's corner. Also the Chester High School has also purchased several decorative lights that have been installed in front of the school and football field.
New Recycling Trailers
Menard Correctional Center constructed two recycling trailers for the city of Chester recycling program. Recycling trailers will take such things as glass, tin, paper and plastic. These trailers are located at Roziers Country Mart parking lot and Chester Wal-Mart parking lot area. A much needed program as the city street department has been very busy dumping them three times a week. The project was made possible by the Randolph County Recycle Program, City of Chester, Menard Correctional Center and the Randolph County Commissioners all coordinating and working together.
Restructuring City Departments
The city council and the mayor have restructured the city departments and it seems to be working quite well. Kevin Diercks was appointed City Superintendent to oversee and coordinated all city projects; Dennis Hartenberger was appointed Assistant Superintendent Utilties - Water which oversees the water distribution and meters, Brian Petrowske was appointed Assistant Superintendent Utilities - Gas, which oversees the gas distribution; Randy Eggemeyer was appointed Assistant Superintendent Maintenance to oversee the streets and park departments. Also a Utility Group was formed which means most all employees can be cross-trained and used in different departments to more efficiently complete projects. This has been a positive move for the city of Chester as you can see from the numerous projects that have been accomplished throughout the town.
Sidewalk Repair
Numerous sidewalk repair jobs such as in front of Fashion Flair and Hardees have been done. Several smaller sections have been redone around the city and residential areas as well. The sidewalk repairs will be ongoing as weather permits.
Rural Water Project
The rural water project is completed. Approximately 100 new water customers will now receive city water. These areas include County Farm Road, Meadowview Road, Union School Road, Dawnview Road, Diamond Cross Road, York Road.
New Welcome Center
Chester received an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant for $385,620.00 from Illinois Department of Transportation for a new Welcome Center, which will be built in Segar Park next to the Chester Bridge. The new Welcome Center will contain restrooms, information center and scenic overlook. Hopes are to eventually move the Chester Chamber of Commerce office to this location also. Bidding out and construction of this new welcome center should begin approximately Spring 2009.
