Capt. Don Masengale
Lt. Duane Schermerhorn
Lange Montague
The 2018-2019 budget for the town of Lookout Mountain, Tn., passed on first reading at the June commission meeting. Because the town traditionally has relied on the Hall tax, which is now being phased out, a property tax increase of 3.3 percent is planned. That will increase the tax rate from 1.83 to 1.89 per $100 of assessed value.
Town Consultant Dwight Montague gave highlights of the new operating budget of $3.65 million.
It includes a two percent pay increase for employees other than the fire and police departments. A standardized chart has been created by Fire and Police Chief Chuck Wells for his department.
A 10 percent increase is anticipated for property liability insurance and a 15 percent increase for medical insurance. One vehicle will be replaced for the public works department and one for the fire and police department, and new turn out gear for the firefighters will cost $30,000. Some paving will be done after WWTA completes making road cuts. The budget includes $200,000 for this work. The amount contributed toward education will be less this year for both the town and the PTA due to the retirement of a long time employee. Also in the budget is $80,000 for repairs to correct water problems at The Commons.
The public works department is preparing to make improvements this year. Walker Jones, commissioner of public works, said that new, more attractive trash receptacles will be put at Point Park, and many traffic and street signs are in the process of being replaced. Also, old signs that are no longer needed and unsightly signs are being removed. It was noted that “residents parking only” signs must now be approved by the commissioners before individuals can put them up. Chief Wells said that stenciling on the road will replace some of the signs around Sunset Rock.
Money in the paving budget is used not only for paving, but also for maintenance such as striping, reflectors, and improvements to ditches alongside the roads and repairs, said the commissioner. The work to correct a dip in Bartram Road will be started soon along with repairs to potholes and sink holes. A new and better method will be used for these road repairs.
The statistics from the Fire and Police Department in May were compiled by Chief Wells. They show that police had 244 calls during the month, 10 assist citizen calls, and 28 calls to 911. Police patrolled 5,695 miles and answered 11 burglar alarms, all false. There was one auto accident with no injuries, 94 traffic stops made and 13 parking citations given. There were 12 medical calls in Tennessee and five assists in Georgia. Three fire alarms were all false.
A decline in speeding has been credited to an increase in traffic stops. Other problems have also been discovered when vehicles have been pulled over for offenses. During the month, police found “non-mountain residents doing bad things,” said Commissioner of Fire and Police Jim Bentley. Police have found drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. Thefts of over $2,500 and another over $1,000 were discovered along with possession of burglary tools during stops for traffic violations.
Commissioner Bentley gave a reminder that mountain stickers are required for residents of the town and they are now past due. The police have been receiving noise complaints about construction and lawn crews starting too early. The town’s noise ordinance specifies that construction can begin at 6 a.m. and lawnmowers and blowers cannot be used before 8 a.m.
The fire and police department has two new employees - Adam Hurst, a police officer and firefighter, and Travis Hullender, who is a licensed paramedic and a firefighter who is also attending the police academy. Duane Schermerhorn has been promoted to lieutenant of Fire and Police and Don Masengale has been promoted from lieutenant to captain. Lange Montague has been issued a badge after completing all training and is now a Tennessee state certified fire fighter.
Commons Camp is going smoothly, said Commissioner of Parks and Playgrounds Brooke Pippenger. The rec board is now in the process of planning for the soccer season. Sign-ups have already started for the fall. The fields at the commons have muddy areas caused by excessive rain, she said. Those areas will be roped off while they are being rehabilitated and people are being asked to stay off of them. Sod will also be put on Johnson Field this summer.
During the summer break, Ruth White, principal of Lookout Mountain Elementary, has been filling vacancies in staff. Carol Martin has been hired for the Literacy Lab. The summer reading program at the library is being managed by Lee Cook. Upgrades to the primary playground have been delayed by the large amount of rain this summer. Teachers return to school on Aug. 2 and the first day for students will be Aug. 8.
Cara Lisa Montgomery, a resident of the town, came to the meeting to ask the commission to allow her to operate a short term rental unit behind her house. She was told that the town has an ordinance in place that prohibits these rentals except in the commercial district. Town Attorney Brian Smith will examine the issue further as to the way it relates to a state law concerning short term rentals.
The vehicles that the town is replacing will be declared surplus and will be listed on govdeals.com for bid.
Mayor Carol Mutter announced that the July commission meeting will be postponed until July 24 at 5 p.m. The amount of Hall tax that the town will receive should be known by then. When that information is finalized, the budget may be amended, she said.