Lookout Mountain, Ga., Has New Plan To Pay For Sewer Repairs; Improvements Set For Town Entrance

  • Friday, September 19, 2014
  • Gail Perry
Rendering of Lookout Mountain green space
Rendering of Lookout Mountain green space

The Lookout Mountain, Ga., Sewer Board has a new plan to pay for replacement of grinder pumps as they are needed. It has been determined that the same money can be generated by increasing the rate paid for usage per month measured in cubic feet.

 

On the recommendation of City Manager Brad Haven and Jimmy Campbell, who heads the sewer board, the council voted to raise the rate from $4.77 to $6.

Officials said this option is fair because it is based on the amount of water used. The difference in the old and new rates will go into a separate bank account that will be restricted for grinder pumps.

 

The public works department has fallen behind because of employees being out and equipment failures as well as the added work to clear intersections of brush that obstructs visibility. Mr. Haven made the recommendation to offer garbage pickup only once a week until after leaf season. It is expected that crews will be caught up by Dec. 15. Charges for garbage service will increase from $298 to $300.

 

The town received $511,390 from SPLOST, which comes from adding one cent to the sales tax. The city manager created a budget for use of this money based on actual quotes. Appropriations have been made for the first two years out of six for which that money is designated.

 

Sidewalks have already been completed using some of the funds in combination with donations. Other uses in year one will be the purchase of a leaf machine, turnout gear for volunteer firefighters and a small tractor. Repairs will be made to Ft. Trace Drive and to the sewer line force main. In year two, plans are to buy a police vehicle, a public works truck, a copy machine, vent fans for the public works building and a new roof for city hall.

 

Councilman David Bennett showed three options for replacing the town’s deteriorating wooden street signs. The one chosen has a four-inch square post of powder-coated aluminum or steel with a life expectancy of 50 years. A reflective street sign will hang from a metal bracket that extends from the post. The replacement of all street signs will be done for $14,000 to $15,000.

 

An announcement was made that the city is preparing to sign an option to purchase the old parsonage across the street from the Methodist Church at the intersection of Red Riding Hood and Lula Lake Road. Plans are to turn the land into green space with landscaping and new entry columns into the town. The council is hoping to raise $150,000 by Dec. 31 for the purchase and work that will be needed. Council member Taylor Watson said she hopes to get the garden clubs involved with landscaping.

 

Three members of the town’s planning committee were reappointed for another term including Chairman Earl Carstens, Chip Corley and Thompson Pettaway. Mr. Carstens told the council members that the planning committee is recommending that the city change the building procedures review. Requirements from the Environmental Protection Agency are incorporated. A committee including City Attorney Bill Pickering will appraise the changes before approving them at next month’s meeting because they will affect a host of other ordinances.

 

Beer and wine sales at special events was discussed at the meeting. To have an ordinance in place in case someone wanted to have an event is a good idea, said Mayor Sandy Gothard. Safeguards would be needed for the town. A company selling the alcohol would be required to be licensed and insured. “We don’t want a farmer selling beer out of the back of a pickup truck,” said Mr. Pickering.

New street signs
New street signs
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