posted May 13, 2008
Lookout Mountain, Tn., officials said they are glad they joined the Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority despite a new $8 per household sewage charge imposed by the WWTA for a major effort to stop area leaking sewer pipes.
Ansley Moses, city manager, said he voted for the fee at a recent WWTA meeting and considers it "an insurance policy" for the city.
He said the WWTA will use the funds to deal with sewage cleanup mandates from the federal government.
Commissioner Dan Crates said if the town had not joined the WWTA "we might face millions of dollars in expense for fixing major sewer lines."
Mr. Moses said the WWTA will be inspecting homes to make sure the pipes are in good order going from the main line to the home. He said where problems are found, the cost could be up to $5,000 to fix it. But he said under the program, the WWTA will cover the cost.
Bobby McDaniel, town public works chief, said most of the lines going to homes in the town are in good shape, but he said problems may be found in the main lines.
Mr. McDaniel said he does not expect it will be necessary to dig up the yards of many residents under the upcoming inspection program.
In other action, Police Chief Randy Bowden said the town had two exciting arrests involving assaults on officers within a two-day period.
He said in the first instance, a resident from back on the mountain was spotted by an officer driving erratically. The chief said when the officer stopped the man, he started fighting the officer.
He said the man eventually went over a 20-foot drop at the Stonedge Condominiums, fracturing his neck in the process. He was tracked down in woods near Ochs Highway as city police officers joined in the chase.
The man is charged with DUI, possession of marijuana, assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, evading arrest and registration violation. He said the same man was later stopped by Lookout Mountain, Ga., Police and again charged with registration violation. "He did not fight this time," the chief said.
In the second incident, a couple was passing worthless checks on the mountain. When an officer began to check out the woman, her husband moved over to the driver's side and sped away, almost striking the woman and the officer.
Charges on that arrest are theft over $500 and four counts of check fraud and forgery.
Chief Bowden said the husband has not yet been captured.
He said the couple is also wanted for passing worthless checks in Dade County, Fort Oglethorpe and the Wal-Mart in Lookout Valley.
Chief Bowden would not release the names of any of the suspects.
"I don't want to give out any names," he said.
Also, Mr. Moses said the state's dire financial situation might hurt the town's chances to get a grant to help with rebuilding the Mountain Maze.
Commissioner Will Moses said the town plans to move ahead on the project anyway - even if it means scaling it back and seeking private donations.
Mayor Greg Brown said he plans a renewed push for sidewalks. He said there is additional traffic on the mountain, many people speed, and he said "it is a miracle that someone has not been hit."
He said his first goal is to have a sidewalk built from Caldwell's Corner to the stores and Commons.
He said a $12,000 budget item includes a study of what it would take to obtain the necessary right of way.
Commissioner Billy Mitchell said one of the most hazardous areas is along West Brow Road, including at the curve where Tommy Lupton once lived.
He noted that Bob Caldwell a number of years ago launched an effort for sidewalks, but there was much "pushback" to the idea.
Mayor Brown said Mr. Caldwell remains interested in the project.
He said some private citizens would be recruited to work with commissioners on the effort.
Officials noted the state Dixie Youth baseball tournament will be played at the Commons July 13-20.
Commissioner Moses said tennis coach Hank Brenner has offered to teach lessons at the Commons similar to the setup that Marilyn Brown had for many years.
The city has purchased a new garbage truck and a 75-foot Quint ladder truck is on order for the fire department.
Commissioner Mitchell said the Lookout Mountain Elementary School has the highest TCAP scores in the state.
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