Apartment units planned for Clark’s Mill Drive

Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen held their first meeting of the new year, on Jan. 4, and made quick work of moving through the presented agenda.

The board authorized Resolution No 23-589 which called for a city election to be held Aug. 1, 2024. The purpose of the election would be to elect three aldermen, each of whom would serve a four-year term on the board. This is something that takes place on a regular schedule, with elections taking place every two years as aldermen are elected, or re-elected, on a rotation.

The board also authorized the Amendment and Restatement of the Interlocal Agreement of the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport. City of Sparta was the last entity to complete the authorization as White County, Putnam County, and the City of Cookeville had previously confirmed their authorization in earlier meetings held by each of those entities.

Other items on the agenda included approving the application for Off-Premises beer permit for EZ Express Mart 32 located at 470 W Bockman Way as well as the board appointing Barbara Lancaster to the Senior Citizens Board. Lancaster was the fifth and final member appointed by the City of Sparta to the 13-person board.

The board also reviewed reports submitted by each of the city’s department heads, with each department stating that they have been conducting business as usual over the two weeks since they had least been in front of the board. The Codes Department did report that the demolition of a home at 508 Clarks Mill Drive had taken place, and the process for building eight new apartment units in its place had begun. They also reported that the company Five Below had submitted plans for plumbing, sewer, and electrical work to begin soon with construction scheduled to begin in February.

Before the board was adjourned, Mayor Jerry Lowery announced there would be a work session held immediately following the next regularly scheduled meeting of board, which is scheduled for 5 p.m., Jan. 18. Lowery said the work session would focus on several things the board would need to be considering over the upcoming months and estimated the extra meeting would last between 60 and 90 minutes.