The volunteer fire department of Soddy-Daisy will receive a Class 3 rating from Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO). State officials informed city manager Janice Cagle that Soddy-Daisy is the only all volunteer fire department in Tennessee with this high rating. Only a few all-volunteer departments in the nation have a Class 3 rating.

ISO ratings are based on water supply, equipment, personnel, training, and alarm/dispatch. Many insurance companies use the ISO ratings when they set premium costs for property insurance. City residents are encouraged by the board to check with their insurance companies. This classification should mean lower property insurance premiums.

The city's board of commissioners has been investing thousands of dollars into the fire department the past few years.

This week the board approved the purchase and installation of 30 new fire hydrants, repainting of the Snorkle fire truck, the purchase of equipment for the new pumper truck and the purchase of a four-person work station for the chief's office in Fire Hall #1.

Earlier this month, the board approved the purchase of turn out gear and a skid unit for the brush truck. A new truck, with a cost of about $245,000 will be delivered this summer.

Fire Chief Jim Coleman reported 12-15 new recruits between the ages of 17 to 19. He told the board that many will take advantage of the fire training that is now offered on the weekends. He also reported that the city will now have a driver course to train new drivers of the fire department vehicles.

Commissioners Bob Privett and Jim Adams recommended the beginning of an incentive program to retain volunteers and officers.

Soddy-Daisy High School Band Director Rick Chambers was present at the meeting to receive a letter of commendation from the board. The band was awarded Grand Champion in the concert division and Gold in the jazz and concert division at a recent competition.

The board of commissioners approved an ordinance allowing the city manager or building inspector to grant variances to the landscape ordinance. This was a request of the town's planning commission.

The board also approved an ordinance requiring a fence or wall to be built around any dumpster that is seen from the street. Dumpsters currently in place will be "grandfathered in," but new dumpsters, moved dumpsters or new businesses will have to build a fence or wall.

Commissioner Privett defined a dumpster as any container "a truck has to physically dump."

The board discussed a list of roads to be paved and the city manager's meeting with Card Paving. They discussed the priority list and also the list of roads that the Hamilton County Water Wastewater Authority (WWTA) will be cost sharing because of sewer installation. They mentioned Daisy Dallas, O'Sage, and Greenpond roads as "critical."

The city expects the repaving of many roads to begin on Monday.

The board members also talked about the railroad crossing on Cox Lane. When a train is crossing that road, many families are stuck because there is no other exit. It was reported that many people waited for one hour and 20 minutes earlier this week.

Vice Mayor Patti Skates noted that the trains are becoming longer. She assumes the trains are longer because of the increase in fuel prices. City Recorder Sara Burris noted that there are 10 to 15 more trains every day then there were 10 years ago.

City Manager Cagle said there are 70 homes on Cox Lane with no exit when a train is passing. The city is currently exploring ideas for an emergency exit.

Commissioner Privett, who is the board's representative to WWTA, reported progress on Old Dayton Pike. The city was not happy with the quality of work after sewer installation and the repaving of Old Dayton Pike. He said that WWTA will instruct the contractor to repair any problems and the county will also warranty the road for a certain period of time.

The board of commissioners for Soddy-Daisy is scheduled to meet again May 4.