by Dana Wilbourn
posted March 9, 2010
Lookout Mountain, Tn. resident Andrew Horwick complained to town commissioners on Tuesday that the handle on his garbage can was broken by the town’s public works employees twice in the past eight months. He said the town replaced the can the first time it was broken and, when he called recently to request another new can, he was told the town had no policy of replacing residents’ garbage cans.
Town residents provide their own garbage can. The town does not furnish the cans as do the cities of Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain, Ga.
Mr. Horwick said he contacted Public Works Commissioner Dan Crates and Mr. Crates told him there is no legal precedent to provide garbage cans to residents when one breaks. Mr. Horwick insisted the precedent was set eight months ago when his was replaced.
Public Works supervisor Bobby McDaniel said he did replace Mr. Horwick’s garbage can eight months ago as a good-natured gesture. He said he did not even tell the commissioners about it. He said it was purchased with town funds and he did it just to make a friendly gesture to Mr. Horwick.
Mayor Greg Brown said, “We are not going to start replacing every garbage can that breaks.”
Town consultant Ansley Moses said, “No community replaces garbage cans purchased by residents.”
Mr. McDaniel said these cans sit out in sub-freezing temperatures and the plastic becomes brittle and fragile. Public works employees often have to strike the can against the truck to loosen refuse compacted in the can. The town cannot be responsible for wear and tear, he said.
Mr. Horwick continued to argue that it was the town’s responsibility. “These cans cost $20 at Wal-Mart, he said.
Mayor Brown finally said, “I’m sorry, the answer is no.”
Mr. Horwick replied, “Super.” He left the meeting immediately.
In the mayor’s report, Mayor Brown asked Police Chief Randy Bowden if the town had a policy for residents who wish to leave a house key for the police to use in the case of an emergency. Chief Bowden said there is a long standing policy that residents can provide the police with a house key so the home can be entered for emergencies. He said the elderly, handicapped individuals, and residents who live alone are the typical users of the policy.
Chief Bowden said the town has a vacant house list also. Residents who are on extended absences give the police a list of days they will be gone and what lights are purposely left on and which cars are left in the driveway and other pertinent information. Police watch the house for any changes in appearance.
Mayor Brown told commissioners he has sent a letter to Tom Dugan at CARTA expressing the town’s gratitude for the Lookout Mountain Incline remaining open extended hours during the rash of snow and ice days that the town has experienced this winter. CARTA has also agreed to having the use of the incline included in the town’s emergency plan prepared for the state, he said.
Mayor Brown also thanked the public works employees and the fire and police employees for the long hours and extra care they took to make residents safe during the latest snow incident.
Mr. Moses told commissioners town employee David Houts is set to retire this summer after 30 years of service. He reminded commissioners that retiring employees receive $100 for each year they worked.
Chief Bowden said one of the town’s patrol cars is a 2005 model and needs multiple repairs to be serviceable. “We’ve basically quit driving it,” he said. The cost of repairs would be in the thousands, he said. He has checked with the Watson dealership and to get a new patrol car complete with lights, cage, radio, “the works,” the town would be out-of-pocket less than $9,344 for a 3-year lease. “I know I can get it for less, he said.”
The commissioners approved up to $9,344 to obtain the new patrol car, which will take about six weeks to receive.
Education Commissioner Bill Mitchell listed the following upcoming events at the school. March 11 is the spring lunch for families of K-2 & 4 only and by reservation. Spring break begins April 2 and school resumes on April 12.
Mr. Mitchell also said the county has installed a motion-sensitive security system at the school.
Mr. Crates said the $15,000 the public works department used to hire outside crews to help the town remove downed trees and brush from the storm was the best use of the money. He said the department assessed whether there was any equipment they could buy for city crews to do the work next time without the outside crews. It was determined that the storm’s intensity and resulting havoc was not a frequent occurrence. If the money had been spent for additional equipment, the equipment might sit around for 20 more years before it’s used, he said.
Fire and Police commissioner Carol Mutter gave the following statistics for February.
Police calls – 90
Miles patrolled – 4,403
Burglar alarms – 8 (all false)
Assist citizen calls – 14
911 calls – 11
Traffic citations – 5
Warnings – 20
Arrests – 1 (drug paraphernalia, no license, tag or insurance)
Thefts – 1 (money from business)
Medical calls – 9
Fire alarms – 5 (3 working fires: chimney, oven, and a car)
The next meeting of the commissioners will be April 6 at 5:00.
Dana Wilbourn
dbwilbourn@yahoo.com
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