From City of Townsend Commission Meeting Minutes, May 19th, 2009
Attending the meeting was Mayor Pat Jenkins, Vice Mayor Ron Palewski, Commissioner Charles Tippitt, Commissioner David Wietlisbach, Recorder Shelia Moss, Police Chief Ron Suttles, Fire Chief Don Stallions, Jackie Suttles, Ernie and Judy Lancaster, Iva Butler, Byron Begley, Mike Talley, Paul and Norma Reynolds, Don Headrick, as well as several other community members. Commissioner Skidmore was absent.
Public Hearing & 1st Reading – Ordinance 243-09-1C, 2009/2010 Budget
By request of Mayor Jenkins, Recorder Moss read this Ordinance in its entirety aloud. Mayor Jenkins then opened the public hearing. There being no public comment, the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Wietlisbach made a motion to approve Ordinance 243-09-1C. Commissioner Tippitt seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes.
Minutes
Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to approve the minutes from the April 21, 2009. Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes.
Finance Report
Recorder Moss gave the finance report for the month of April. Commissioner Wietlisbach made a motion to approve the finance report. Vice Mayor Palewski seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes.
Police Report
Chief Suttles mentioned that Townsend teamed up with Blount County and set up a Sobriety Checkpoint. He reported that they did not get any DUI’s out of it but did confiscate a U-Haul. Chief Suttles also mentioned that they had a busy weekend. He mentioned that Old Timers Day went well and the Trout Fest just ended. Chief Suttles reported that there was a fatal accident which happened outside the City limits.
Maintenance
Chief Suttles reported that the Garden Club asked if they could get help getting rid of brush which was piled up near the bike trail. He also mentioned that the old bucket truck had been sold. Chief Shuttles asked about dumpsters for Spring Clean Up. Mayor Jenkins asked how this was handled last year. Chief Suttles informed Mayor Jenkins that Commissioner Skidmore usually donated the dumpsters and the City paid for the Landfill fees. There was a brief discussion regarding Spring Cleanup. Chief Suttles stated that he would talk to Commissioner Skidmore to get this event set up for the first half of June. Chief Suttles also reported that he had to buy a new weedeater. Mayor Jenkins stated that he appreciated them taking care of the bike trail in front of the Visitor’s Center Monday. Chief Suttles mentioned that he talked to the property owner and is working with them to correct the damage. Commissioner Tippitt reported that five Dogwoods and one Redbud died and that they will be pulled up and replaced. There was a brief discussion about the trees planted for the Entrance Beautification Project.
Fire
Chief Stallions reported that everything is going well. He mentioned that they are looking for Grant opportunities for the building. He spoke about training opportunities which included a sixty-four hour class from the State on Basic Fire Fighting which qualifies firemen for live burns. He reported that they are looking at October to have a class here. Chief Stallions also reported that the Fire Department is in need of a third tanker.
Recreation
Commissioner Wietlisbach mentioned that the Fourth of July would be here soon. He reported that last year BankEast contributed $1,000 for fireworks. Chief Stallions mentioned that they planned to do the same for this year. Don Headrick gave permission to use his property again for this year as well. There was a brief discussion regarding the Fourth of July. Commissioner Tippitt made a motion to spend the $500 budgeted for 2008/2009 with the $500 budgeted for 2009/2010 to contribute to the 2009 Fourth of July Display. Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes.
Townsend River Walk Landscaping Grant
Recorder Moss informed the Commission that we are still awaiting our signed contract from the Tennessee Department of Transportation and that she will be contacting them.
Non Resident Voting, Tim Byrd
Tim Byrd was not in attendance.
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