Martin accepts safe room grant from FEMA

By BRAD GASKINS
News Editor
MARTIN — The City of Martin will accept a grant to build a safe room to shield residents from harm during inclement weather, city aldermen decided Tuesday.
The grant award is for $1.04 million and requires a local matching contribution of $221,942. It is from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
The safe room would be constructed in front of the current Senior Adults Center.
Prior to Tuesday’s vote, Martin Mayor Randy Brundige met with about 30 seniors to discuss the city’s plans.
”I did go talk to the senior citizens (Tuesday) morning about this grant, and they were thrilled that we were doing it,” Brundige said. “There wasn’t anybody out there that wasn’t positive about this.”
The safe room would be able to provide shelter for about 1,100 during a severe weather outbreak. It would be a multi-purpose facility that could also be used for various functions.
The majority of the city’s local match would come from next year’s budget, Brundige said. Work likely wouldn’t begin until May or June.
In other action Tuesday:
• An ordinance to amend the city¹s sewer use ordinance and enforcement response plan passed on first reading. A public hearing on Ordinance 2012-07 will be held at the next formal meeting, scheduled for Dec. 10 at 5:15 p.m.
• Chet Alexander was appointed to the Martin Housing Authority Commission to fill the unexpired term of Richard Maloan. The 92-year-old Maloan recently told city officials it was time for him to step aside.
Published in The WCP 11.15.12