Young questions effect of ordinance passage on Gillen Subdivision

 In a departure from normal order, Sparta Mayor Jerry Lowery opened the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting with comments from the public.

Lowery did this because Bob Young was present to speak about Ordinance Number 23-963, an ordinance to amend Title 18, Chapter 1, Section 103 of the Sparta Municipal Code regarding sewer grinder pumps and how the ordinance would affect further development at Gillen Subdivision. Young asked the board to table the second and final reading to allow time to consider changes to the ordinance. Young explained that expansion plans at Gillen Subdivision would continue, regardless of the board’s decision.

After no further comments from the public, the board moved to consider the second and final reading of Ordinance Number 23-963. The board discussed the possibility that allowing grinder pumps on the city sewer system would put the city in jeopardy of breaching its Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation mandated ammonia limits. After a brief discussion, the ordinance was passed as written.

The board then moved to approve Ordinance Number 23-964, an ordinance authorizing the rezoning of a portion of Miller’s Point Road from Residential A to Commercial D, on first reading. Alderman Brian Jones abstained from the vote due to a possible conflict of interest.

In other business, the board:

• Approved a bid for seal coating and striping parking lots.
• Approved a bid for striping streets at $475 per mile.
• Approved the bid for the purchase of a 300hp Motor and a Vertical Pump for the water plant.
• Authorized the solicitation of bids for tree trimming services for the Electric Department.
• Authorized the solicitation of bids to replace the heat and air unit and the roof at City Hall.

During the department heads’ reports, Police Chief Nick Dunn reported:

• The department has answered 5,565 calls year to-date.
• The department received the Violent Crime Intervention Grant.
• Assistant Chief Brent Copeland completed A.L.I.C.E. training for all White County teachers.
• Sgt. Jeff Hutson attended yearly fire investigation training, receiving 34 hours of class credit.
• The Handle with Care program is being implemented in White County Schools. The program allows law enforcement agencies to inform schools when students have possibly been impacted by a traumatic event.