A conditional permit and lease was approved for a new cell phone tower for Lookout Mountain, Tn., at the commission meeting Tuesday night. Gulf South Towers from Fairhope, Ala., will pay the town $1,500 for a one-year option while the firm secures at least one provider to use the tower. If more time is needed to find a tenant, the lease will need to be renegotiated. The agreement specifies that the town will be paid $2,400 a month, which includes the first provider, and $1,000 for each additional tenant.
The design of the tower remains the same as the one that was previously approved, with the ground equipment concealed by a small building and wall that matches the exterior of city hall.
The commercial town center will now be known as Lookout Mountain Village. The city voted to have a sign made and hung on a wrought iron bracket from a lamp post in front of the stores. It will have reflective white lettering on a black background, similar to the Mountain Market sign, and will be hung high enough so the vision of drivers will not be obstructed.
Statistics from the fire and police departments compiled by Chief Randy Bowden were read by Commissioner Jim Bentley. During the month of October, the department had 128 calls, patrolled 2,677 miles, answered 12 burglar alarms, all false, and assisted four citizens. There were 20 calls to 911 and seven animal calls. During the month there were 13 traffic stops, no auto accidents, and 46 parking citations were issued. There were two thefts; one involved forgery and theft over $10,000, and the other was theft of garden tools. Two arrests were made in October. Response was made for nine medical calls and one fire alarm that was false.
Carrington Montague, a Lookout Mountain, Tn. resident, asked the commissioners to think about charging the town of Lookout Mountain, Ga., for mutual aid medical calls made on behalf of the Georgia residents. He said, “I don’t see the mutuality.” Lookout Mountain, Tn., also provides a dumpster every other month for residents of the town, and he said it is used as much by the residents in Georgia. He suggested that Lookout Mountain, Ga., provide a dumpster on the alternating months and share it with the Tennessee side. These things are “just food for thought,” he said. "I don’t mean we shut it down at the state line, at all, it is just an expense," he said.
Chief Bowden responded that the EMS employees in Tennessee are certified in both states, and that Georgia does replace most of the supplies that are used on medical calls. He said, “I think we’ve got a handle on it for now.” It is a humanitarian and neighborly thing to do, agreed Mr. Montague.
A lot has been going on at Lookout Mountain Elementary School, said Commissioner of Schools Don Stinnett. The National Inventors Hall of Fame award was given to honor the work of Camp Invention that teacher Brian Mann leads every summer. In a county-wide cross country track meet the school had 40 athletes out of the total 180 kids, and won the participation award. A couple of students from LMS auditioned for and sang in the program, “Hamilton Sings.” A creative arts program will be held at the school in the afternoons on Tuesdays and Thursdays for third, fourth and fifth graders. Art teacher Toni Gwaltney will be leading this after school “Christmas Beehive Program” where children can make small Christmas bells inspired by ceramics from Spain.
Important upcoming dates for the school are Thanksgiving break from Nov. 23-25. “Music of The Continents,” the holiday school musical, will be on Dec. 1 and 2. Christmas parties will be held the morning of December 16 and school will be dismissed at 11:30. Winter break is from Dec. 17-Jan. 3.
Flag football has been fun for the boys and the few girls that played this year, said Commissioner of Parks and Playgrounds Brooke Pippenger. The season will end on Nov. 12. Wrestling starts on Nov. 10 for third, fourth and fifth graders. Practice will be from 3-4 p.m. at the school. Sign-ups can still be made by calling the recreation department. Basketball registration is now going on at bluesombrero.com.
Cub Scout Pack 3191 was recognized by the town for their community service work. In October, the Scouts, first and second graders from Lookout Mountain Elementary and Fairyland Elementary, spent time cleaning up The Commons. They collected about 20 pounds of trash from under bushes and trees where it had blown. For their hard work they received badges for their uniforms, said Cub Master Bob Zendejas. Their next project will be cleaning up paths in Georgia.
Both leaf machines have had mechanical problems since the “leaf season” started, said Commissioner of Public Works Walker Jones. Parts for repairs will be in soon, he said, and since the season has just started, there should be no problems in clearing the leaf piles that are collecting. The dumpster will be back on the mountain Dec. 3.
Town Consultant Dwight Montague reported that since property tax bills went out Oct. 1, $300,000 has been paid to the town. He also said that the parking meter business is still booming. Collections are $5,000 ahead of the same time last year. A lot of money has come from parking tickets, too, he said. With Sunset Rock becoming a popular destination, illegal parking persists despite the police department having posted flashing signs and warnings. Unexpected expenses for the month have come from repairs to the leaf vacuums.
Mayor Carol Mutter would like to remind all drivers on the mountain to watch your speed and to be aware of pedestrians. She also asks for residents to patronize the businesses in the town whenever possible during the holidays. A breakfast honoring employees will be on Dec. 8.
The next Lookout Mountain, Tn., Commission meeting will be Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 5 p.m.