The city of Red Bank is building more sidewalks that will be accessible to Americans with Disabilities. The newest ones are planned along Dayton Boulevard and Ashland Terrace. A Tennessee Department of Transportation Grant will be used for the work.
Because of ongoing utility work, construction of the walkways cannot be started until next spring, so the city will ask TDOT for an extension of time that was specified for using the grant.
Red Bank resident Daniel Chappell told the commissioners he is happy they will be built, despite the delay.
Some of these sidewalks will be on property owned by the state of Tennessee, so an agreement with the state will be entered into, that will allow Red Bank to use the land for building and maintaining them.
Red Bank will also participate in another grant, The Public Entity Partners Property Conservation Grant, that will provide funding for installing fencing and screening around the city’s impound lot that will better secure the facility, said Mayor Eddie Pierce. This grant requires a matching amount from the city, not to exceed $2,500.
The purchase of new wireless connection hardware to facilitate computer-aided dispatch services for the fire department was authorized by the commission Tuesday night. This is equipment that will be installed in the trucks that will connect to the 911 center. The cost of $12,722 was budgeted.
An emergency purchase was also approved for a remote-controlled hydraulic arm for the city’s fully automated garbage truck to replace the arm that broke. The cost of the new equipment is $23,750.
Vice Mayor Ruth Jeno reported that at the grand opening of the new Red Bank Food Pantry 54 families came through and it all ran smoothly. It is open bi-weekly and will open again this coming Thursday and will be advertised. Over 3,000 pounds of food were ordered before the opening and she said it was amazing that was bought for $300. She said the cost of food for the pantry will be about 19 cents per pound and she encourages donations. She thanked the churches in town for coming together to make it possible.
Commissioner Tyler Howell told the commissioners that the big sewer project is ending on Linden Lane. He thanked residents for their patience during the work and for the cooperation of the city staff and managers, Brown Brothers construction, CTI Engineers and the WWTA, which is in charge of the sewers. He said that project represents a big investment in the city’s infrastructure.
Commissioner Carol Rose noted that a new road is being built off of Delashmitt Road into Red Bank’s newest housing development. "It is exciting to see new housing coming to the town," she said.
This week, the city started handing out flyers about the Red Bank Christmas Festival. City Manager Tim Thornbury said the public works schedule for the holidays is being put on garbage cans throughout the city, and asks for residents to be on the lookout for them.