Work to prevent overflows from the sewer system is just beginning on Lookout Mountain. It is a state-mandated program to reduce and eliminate runoff from the sanitary sewers that can send debris and pathogens into creeks, streams and waterways. The Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority (WWTA) has contracted with two companies to perform the work on the mountain.
Champion Cleaning Specialists, Inc., will video and smoke-test the lines to determine if repairs are needed.
If problems are found a work order will be given to the second contractor, B&B Plumbing and Heating, Inc., who will make the repairs to the lines.
Lateral lines that go from every house to the main sewer will be inspected and replaced at no additional charge to the homeowner if they have signed an easement agreement. The $8 monthly charge on every sewer bill will pay for the work. Trucks from both companies will be marked as WWTA contractors.
Previously, letters were sent to homeowners along with forms to sign granting easements to the WWTA for doing sewer repairs. If those letters were not signed, new ones will be available at city hall. They must be notarized and returned to the WWTA.
Landscaping that is disturbed because of the work will be restored. The whole project on the mountain is scheduled to take one and a half years to complete, but the representative from B&B said he expects that time will be extended.
Parking at Sunset Rock continues to be a problem and more complaints are coming from residents, said Commissioner of Fire and Police Jim Bentley. He and Chief Randy Bowden have asked the National Park Service for help. They have agreed to add more park service signs and to restripe the parking lot, but West Brow Road falls under the town’s jurisdiction.
Commissioner Bentley read monthly statistics for the fire and police departments that were compiled by Chief Bowden. For the month of March, police had 105 calls and patrolled 4,117 miles. There were 21 assist citizen calls and 15 calls to 911. During the month there were 16 burglar alarms, all false, no burglaries, arrests or auto accidents. Police made 31 traffic stops and responded to two disorders. There were three medical calls and four lift assist calls. Three fire alarms were answered, all false.
The baseball and softball parade is set for April 23. Teams will meet at Fairyland School by 8:40 a.m. and the parade will leave at 9 a.m. ending at the commons, said Brooke Pippenger, commissioner of parks and playgrounds. Will Haisten is the new baseball commissioner and he is trying to make the sport more competitive for the girls, said Ms. Pippenger. Commissioner Don Stinnett suggested that an “old timers’ annual softball game could be organized, perhaps challenging a team from Georgia.
Commons Camp starts June 6 and continues through July 22. Information sheets will soon be sent out in school backpacks.
Commissioner Pippenger reported on the "Weed Wrangle” that was held April 9. It was put together by the Lookout Mountain Garden Club. Around 30 volunteers participated to start the process of ridding the mountain of invasive plants. English ivy was cleared from areas in Point Park and The Commons, along with other invasive plants. Steve Manning, the organizer of the project, brought a new tool, “the uprooter,” to clear small tree and brush stumps. He left these for the town’s use. A system will be created for checking them out to residents.
The first graders hosted their parents with a juice and donut party on April 12, said Commissioner Stinnett. Principal Ruth White continues to give tours of the school to prospective families. The new greenhouse is 85-95 percent complete, said the commissioner. A rainwater collection tank has now been installed. This will be a great learning environment for the kids, he said. Important dates are: May 10, which is the last PTA meeting, May 23 is Field Day, May 24 is Awards Day, April 25 is fifth grade graduation, May 26, the last day of classes, and May 27, the day to pick up report cards.
Walker Jones, commissioner of public works, said when the temperature is right, filling pot holes will be done. As it gets warmer and there is increased yard work, the brush piles will grow and public works is ready to move them.
In the financial report, Town Consultant Dwight Montague said that building permits are 66 percent ahead of what has been budgeted for the fiscal year. Auto decals are also ahead of schedule. Mr. Montague would like to remind residents that the cost doubles at the end of May for the car stickers.
The state legislature passed a law last session that says every municipality must have an internal control manual. Lookout Mountain, Tn. has received a model policy from MTAS to use as a guide for creating the manual. It must be approved by June 30, he said. The commissioners also approved a new audit contract with Johnson, Murphy and Wright.
Mayor Carol Mutter urged all residents of the town to contact representatives from the Hamilton County Legislature to let them know that reducing the Hall Income Tax, which the town receives from the state, would create a large problem. Revenue from the Hall tax is 21.5 percent of the yearly budget. If that tax continues to decrease, the Town of Lookout Mountain will have just two choices - either to cut services or increase property tax since there are very few retail businesses in the town to provide enough sales tax revenue to make up the difference. The mayor asks for the citizens to support those small businesses.
The next meeting of the Lookout Mountain, Tn. Commission will be Tuesday, May 10, at 5 p.m.