A report of actions taken by Lewis County's Board of Commissioners

Residents in protest of a music festival on Walker Road comprised the bulk of comments during Citizen Input when the Lewis County Board of Commissioners convened August 17, 2020 at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on Oak Street. All members were present with the exception of Commissioner Connie Sharp.

James Walsh, a resident of Walker Road, urged members of the board to consider “basic, minor zoning” in Lewis County in the interest of safety. A festival on private property located on Walker Road was anticipated to have as many as 3,000 attendees last weekend, he told the board. While a beer permit for a vendor at the festival had been denied, the “minimally maintained road is a safety issue,” Walsh stated.

Another resident of Walker Road, Laurie Curts, pointed out the county should consider management of events in the future with regulations to ensure proper water and toilet facilities would be in place for such an event, and that accommodations for medical assistance to attendees would be considered, especially for remote areas of the county.

Curts also requested the county have their attorney clarify information she presented regarding festival licensing as it pertains to the Alcohol Beverage Commission. She requested the county learn how to plan for festivals in order to ensure safety and so that neighbors could be advised.

Daniel Nance of Walker Road also addressed the board of commissioners with concerns of Walker Road being a hazardous area with ten residents living on the road. He reported a high volume of criminal activity including the abandonment of stolen cars, stolen cash registers, hypodermic needles and other items found there.

Members of the board thanked those who provided the information.

Committee Reports

Commissioner Allison Tanner presented a report for the Solid Waste Committee. The Solid Waste budget was reported to be $154,494.89 with $52,000 added from a grant so the account would “survive.”

Details of an appeals process for Commercial Waste Fees had been approved by the committee.

To appeal Commercial Waste Fees, a business representative must present the following to the Appeals Committee. A letter stating another business removes the commercial waste; a letter and receipt where the business pays or takes the waste to another company; or documentation that a business license is no longer active.

Commissioner Jason Fite reported for the Public Safety Committee that the amount of commercial traffic on Napier Road had increased, causing traffic and safety concerns. Completed plans for the new jail had been submitted to the Fire Marshall for review.

Commissioner Austin Carroll’s report for the Budget Committee included that a final committee review of the budget proposal for 2020-21 had been presented. Also under budgeted items for non-profit organizations, Hohenwald Lewis County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director had presented to the committee an overview of a TN Trace project called Nashville’s Big Backyard that would attract new residents to the area and provide economic development incentives.

Hohenwald Arts Council Executive Director Scarlette Vaughn requested the Strand Theatre be given the same amount as previous years, $1,500.

Committee reports were accepted unanimously with a motion by Commissioner Aren Ragsdale, seconded by Commissioner Tanner.

Budget Amendments

A budget amendment to approve a 4.25 percent match to state and USDA grant funding for airport runway reconstruction failed by roll call vote, 13 to two, as reported last week. The matter may be reconsidered if two members of the board who voted no bring it up at a future meeting.

The match for Lewis County would have been $109,448.85.

Chamber Executive Director Landers presented the TN Trace project to the board and explained two private businessmen had invested $100,000 in the project so far. The hub of TN Trace will be Hohenwald and Mrs. Landers has been retained by the Leiper’s Fork Foundation as its executive director to oversee the project at the regional level.

A full release of the TN Trace project is anticipated to be made in early to mid-September.

Contributions to non-profits were amended by unanimous roll call vote. Included was $5,000 for nationwide marketing to the TN Trace project and $1,500 to the Hohenwald Arts Council.

A speed limit of 45 miles per hour on Napier Road was established by resolution with 14 voting in favor and Commissioner Ragsdale voting no.

Other roads in Lewis County will be considered for appropriate speed limits on an individual basis.

The Sheriff’s Department budget was amended to move $22,500 between accounts to purchase a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe, fully equipped, that was a surplus item from the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force. The amendment was made by unanimous roll call vote.

Office supplies for the Sheriff’s department and jail were approved unanimously by roll call vote to purchase four new computers.

Architect fees for the new jail were approved for payment by a vote of 13 to two, with Commissioners Timmie and T. J. Hinson voting no.

Moved was $127,330.50 from the General Fund to pay TLM & Associates.

A bid for work at the former Sentinel Trust building was unanimously rejected with a motion by Commissioner Ragsdale, seconded by Commissioner Wendell Kelley. The bid for a judges bench and a separating wall came in at $10,800 from B. & R. Contracting.

Elected as notaries were Lorenda Rochelle and James Graves with a motion by Commissioner Ragsdale, seconded by Commissioner Robert Brewer.

Committees are expected to meet September 14, 2020 with the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Commissioners planned for September 22, 2020.