Signal Mountain Mayor Chris Howley said the language in a new viability study regarding keeping or selling the water system that it now owns and operates was not strongly worded in favor of the town keeping it. The study is from the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS).
The mayor said, after reading it, he concluded that it should be sold, but the decision will not be made until the next council is installed.
The mayor, who did not seek re-election, suggested having MTAS make a presentation of its findings to residents of Signal Mountain at a public meeting. He asked Town Manager Boyd Veal to arrange the meeting. The mayor said that the more information that can be provided to the new council members the better.
Another study is being requested by an ad hoc committee that is analyzing the sale, along with several citizens and one council member, Dan Landrum. This rate study would also be done by MTAS for the amount of $3,000.
Over the last several months, extensive evaluations of the water system and its condition have been done by Mr. Veal and his staff along with Mayor Howley. Since discussion of the sale of the system started four years ago, the water rates have not been raised. Maintenance has been done, but no capital improvements have been made to the infrastructure. Because the rates have stayed the same, there has been no build-up in reserves that would have been used to make improvements. This is one of the reasons that the system is not considered to be in great condition, it was stated.
It is recognized by all that rates will go up regardless of whether a study is done or not and whether the town retains the system or not. All council members at the Monday night meeting, with the exception of Mr. Landrum, felt that before paying for another study that the town first should determine what needs to be done to the system over the next 10-15 years. That would be based on the facts that are now known including increased wages for water system workers and expanding the staff, general maintenance and capital improvements among other things.
Councilman Brandon Anthony suggested raising the rates but not to the maximum amount that the projections have determined. That would at least begin building reserves for improvements, he said. And it would bring them closer to what they should be, said Mayor Howley.
A motion passed for Mr. Veal to find out what information the town would need to provide in order to do the rate study, and in turn to find out exactly what information MTAS would give to the town if a study is done.
The council voted on first reading to amend the town’s livestock regulations in order to allow residents to have goats. The amendments are being made to the municipal code - not through a zoning change - so no public hearing was required. It will apply only to single-family residences with a minimum lot size of two acres, and allows horses or goats. Only two animals will be allowed on property of two acres and another half acre will be required for another animal. There are restrictions on structures and setbacks and there is a nuisance provision. A sunset clause is in place so that the decision can be reversed in a year if problems occur. A second vote will be needed to pass the ordinance.
The council approved applying for a Tennessee Highway Safety Office Grant of $15,000. It has been received by Signal Mountain for multiple years, said the town manager, and is used for driver safety.
Additional funds for the stormwater project at Whippoorwill Drive were approved by the council. The change order amount of $4,262 was charged because the utilities were deeper than anticipated and requires more excavation and materials to make the repair. In the future, the town will request for utilities to not only mark locations, but also to give the depth before a project is begun. Also approved was the purchase of road salt, not to exceed $14,000, in preparation for winter weather.
Mayor Howley announced the opening of the town’s new fire station will be held on Oct. 20 at 11 a.m. He said that the façade was modeled after the old fire station that sat where CVS is now located. The new facility also allows the town to meet obligations to the areas that have been annexed and should reduce insurance rates because of better coverage and response time. The new fire truck has also arrived.
At the agenda meeting on Oct. 26 at 12:30 p.m. the council will honor the Signal Mountain High School’s National Merit Finalists. This year there were six from the school - the most of any school in Hamilton County, either public or private. There will also be an update from the Centennial Committee. There will be discussion about creating an economic development position and more talk about the water system.
The election will be on Nov. 6. The results must be certified before the new council members can be installed. It is expected that will not be done by the Nov. 12 regular council meeting, so tentatively, a special meeting has been scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 17, to install the newly elected council members. An orientation meeting for them will be held following the installation. At the next regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 30, the mayor and vice mayor will be chosen.
Signal Mountain is considering allowing residents to have goats if certain requirements are met.
photo by M.A. Locke