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Kingston Town Council approved four new volunteer firefighters during its meeting last week. From left, Council Members Danny Southerlend and Theodor Ponder, Vice Mayor Loren Runyan, Mayor Sarah Jones, Council Member Donna Stowe and Clerk Michelle Bearden. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat
Kingston Town Council approved four people to serve as volunteer firefighters at its regular monthly meeting Feb. 12.
After meeting in executive session, Mayor Sarah Jones, Vice Mayor Loren Runyan and council members Donna Stowe, Theodor Ponder and Danny Southerland approved Victor Seeley, Dawson Bruce, Dominic Sample and Breanna Hendricks to serve on the Kingston Fire Department.
In other action, the council voted against purchasing property from Rex Lyons off Kemp Street to be used for a new park. This was previously discussed during a meeting last month and it also would have involved opening a roadway that would cost about $60,000.
Council members voted to move forward on acquiring Kemp Street from Lyons, and Southerland said it would be a benefit because the town does not own that street.
“I feel like it’s something we need to do,” added Fire Chief James Kuykendall.
The council will need to take action on providing legal paperwork and a survey to obtain the street.
No action was taken on opening North Donehoo Street from Northwest Second Street to Lyons’ property and the council voted no on extending North Donehoo from Lyons’ south property boundary north across the property.
Dates were approved for upcoming events in April, May and June at Main Street Market. The Springfest is April 13 and on May 4, there will be a Bubble Run, and the Texoma Boat Show is June 1. The town is also planning a Fourth of July parade.
The council voted for Jim Houlette to file a tort claim with the city’s insurance. According to council members, the water meter that had been turned off at Houlette’s property on Rattler Ridge Road blew up and flooded his house.
A quote for shredding services in the amount of $2,125.00 was approved. Clerk/treasurer Michelle Bearden said the town has old files that need to be disposed of and clearing these files out will free up space and allow the office to be a little bit more organized.
The council voted against buying Nelson Park from dentist Dr. Jeffrey Nelson. Mayor Jones said Nelson is willing to sell the property to the town for what it appraises for and the property is more than an acre with the majority of it being a pond. This property was once owned by the town before being sold to Nelson, however, the title had never been put in Nelson’s name so no taxes were ever paid on it.
Southerland expressed opposition to buying it and said the town has many infrastructure problems right now.
“We’ve got more than we can take on right now,” he said.
The council, however, will provide Nelson with a quit claim deed so the land can be put in his name.
The town will be applying for a $600,000 CDBG - Water/wastewater grant which will be written by the Southern Oklahoma Development Association. It would be used to repair well and water lines.
“It’s an expensive project but it needs to be done,” Jones said.
After discussion, the council decided to include $50,000 in matching funds from the town’s reserves toward the grant if it is approved. Matching funds can include labor.
The council also voted on the following agenda items: - Approved a resolution for Fair Housing which is one of two things required to be eligible for SODA grants.
- Voted to purchase Air Med Care for employees as has been done the past several years. Approximate total cost is $2,000.
- Voted to increase the cost of new water meters from $1,000 to $2,000 as suggested by the auditor.
- Tabled action on buying/building a pump truck or trailer and the council expects to have more information by the next meeting.