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Troy receives passing grades

Troy receives passing grades

Posted: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 11:04 pm
By: Donna Ryder Messenger Associate Editor

By DONNA RYDER Messenger Associate Editor The town of Troy is in good shape. Mayor Jimmie Hart and Fire Chief Mark Watson informed the board Monday night the town recently passed two inspections. Hart said the Tennessee Municipal League’s agent recently visited to perform the insurance company’s annual inspection for loss control. In past years, the town has been written up for faded signs and cracked sidewalks, as well as not having enough ground cover for playground safety. The town recently finished repairing sidewalks that were included in last year’s report. This year, Hart said the only things the inspector found were two faded stop signs. Watson said the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health inspection was also held and the town has passed. The only thing the inspector found was a worn out electrical cord, which Watson said was not being used. The town disposed of the electrical cord, he said. In other business, the board: • Agreed to adopt the National Incident Command System to be used as the town’s hazards incident management system. Phillip Green was selected to be the town’s point of contact, with points of contact in each department including Lynn Jones in public works, James Cleek in the police department and Watson in the fire department. The town also agreed to use the Obion County Emergency Management Agency’s public information officer as its own. • Voted to allow the Troy Community Club to use the senior citizens center for a Rook tournament July 19 beginning at 10 a.m. as part of Troy Community Involvement Days, which will be held July 18-19. • Renewed a CD. • Agreed to write-off several items which are owed to the city, which board members think will not be collected. • Discussed the tax rate and the possibility that the town will keep $1.70 per $100 of assessed property, which it has had since at least 1975. Hart said since it is a reappraisal year, the state will figure a new certified tax rate, which could be lower than the $1.70. He said the town is under no obligation to accept that rate and can decide to use its current $1.70 instead. The town would receive additional revenues because the reappraisal amount should have gone up. Alderman Gene Gurien said he wants to see the certified tax rate used because the residents’ expenses are going up on everything else and he does not want to see people who are on fixed incomes have the burden. But alderman Jess Whitesides reminded him that the town’s expenses are going up, too. The board took no action and will wait until the certified tax rate is received. • Approved the bills, including one for four new tires purchased for a patrol car and another for two “slow, dip” signs. • Received the animal control officer’s report for June. It included 15 dogs picked up. Two were claimed, 11 were adopted and two were euthanized. Hart said he received two calls from people who saw the list of dogs available for adoption in The Messenger on Monday. • Learned the town has received $2,000 grants each for the parks department, fire department and senior citizens center. • Approved on first reading the flood ordinance. It will require three readings. • Heard the town’s Web site is averaging 5,000 hits per month. • Learned work has started on the ditch at Trojan Park. • Heard the mayor has not received a cost on the insurance for Troy Community Involvement Days yet. • Agreed to allow Boy Scout William James Reagan to perform work in the town in order to receive his Eagle Scout badge. He wants to paint and grease the fire hydrants, as well as install blue reflectors in the roadway to designate the spot as one which has a fire hydrant. • Was reminded of a Tennessee One-Call meeting Thursday in Dyersburg. Associate Editor Donna Ryder can be contacted by e-mail at dryder@ucmessenger.com. Published in The Messenger 7.8.08