City Council hears discussion on Old Seed Mill

By: Toni Walker

Editor

news@steelcountrybee.com

The Daingerfield City Council meeting on March 14 opened with a discussion into the future of the Old Seed Mill, or Cotton Gin.

Mr. Don White, representing Life Church, pastors First Assembly in Mount Pleasant, and helped start Life Church, after purchasing the vacant church building across from Brookshire’s. The church, pastored by Shelby Crump, also purchased adjoining land beside the church property, which they have cleared out, in preparation of a new building in the future. The reason for White’s visit to the council was to discuss possibilities for the Old Seed Mill, or Cotton Gin, located at Toby Street and Linda Drive.

Life Church, pastored by Shelby Crump, recently opened in the vacant church building across from Brookshire’s. The group also purchased the adjoining property, which they have cleared in preparation of a new building in the future. The group also purchased the lot at Toby Street and Linda Drive, which includes the Old Seed Mill, or Cotton Gin building. White addressed the council with the church’s plan to investigate and evaluate the structural integrity of the building, in hopes of refurbishing or renovating the historical building. The building was built in the late 1840s, and, according to White, does hold the interest of the State Historical Society.

“We want to be a blessing to the community. We want to help the city by adding to, not taking from,” said White. White also stated that it was the desire of the church to refurbish the building in such a way that eventually, it could be returned to the city. White said they had been discussing possible plans, which included the building becoming a community center. The council acknowledged that there was not enough information at this time, and that the first thing would need to be an engineer determining the structural integrity of the building and what could safely be done to the building. The council all agreed that they need more information, and a clear, definite plan, before they could reconsider the issue.

White also discussed with the council the upkeep and maintenance of the right of way on the property, or easement. “We have noticed that the city does keep up a portion. My question is this: will the city keep up this easement, or is the church responsible for it,” asked White. After a discussion over different issues, including some trees, that lie in the right of way, that were cut without the permission of the city, City Manager Rocky Thomasson told White that if Crump would “come discuss this with him, then an agreement could be made.” Councilman Lonnie Tucker, re-iterating Thomasson, said, “You have your people sit down with Rocky, bring the plan, and then we will tell you what will and will not be done.”

Following the Old Seed Mill discussion, the council was given another presentation on electronic water meters, this time from Ferguson Waterworks. Ferguson, who has been around since 1953, was pitched by Bryan Hubbard, their East Texas Territory Manager. Hubbard explained to the council that with Ferguson, all aspects from the product, to the installation, even the data handling is important. He also assured the council that if there were a problem, Ferguson would own that, because they do not outsource their work; Ferguson meters are installed and serviced by Ferguson people.

Hubbard stated that the Ferguson has partnered with Meuller, who has 150 years in the water systems. Meuller also makes hydrants, valves, and other water systems, and they have over 600 deployments of water meters in the United States. The drive by technology offered by Ferguson, which is what the city of Daingerfield is looking into, offers meters that transmits signals every three secods, as opposed to their competitors 10 to 15 seconds. This allows the reader to drive at posted speed limits and pick up the readings faster, eliminating the need to back track for missed readings. The Meuller and Ferguson representatives left the council with the fact that these meters have a 20 year warranty, which is full for the first ten years, then a prorated warranty for the next ten years.

After thanking the Ferguson and Meuller representatives, the council then returned to their agenda, making quick work of the remaining items. The council voted to approve a zoning variance to Daingerfield FFA student Bryce Rinenour, allowing him to keep livestock at 313 E. Georgia Pacific until his high school graduation in 2021. The Council also cancelled the general election, which had been set for May 7, as no council seats were contested and all incumbents would retain their seats. After approving the final items on their agenda, the council adjourned at 7:26 p.m.