| Dresden board approves garbage rate increase |
By: By Sara Reid, Staff Writer
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Posted: Monday, July 14, 2008 7:58 am
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| Citizens of the City of Dresden will soon see a solid waste service cost increase of 4.5 percent beginning on Aug. 1.
At this past Monday’s July monthly meeting of the Dresden City Board of Mayor and Aldermen, the increase was passed upon the receiving of a letter from Barker Bros. Waste, Inc stating that, “The ever-increasing operational cost and environmental requirement have reached a point where we need to adjust your rate to permit us to recover these cost and to maintain a reasonable return on your account.” The increase covers both residential and commercial services and is subject to taxes and fuel surcharges.
In other new business, the board granted the local Habitat for Humanity a waver for the water and sewer tap hookups on the new house it is currently constructing in Dresden.
Mayor Danny Forrester announced that two buildings vacated by the Weakley County Municipal Electric System had recently been looked at by department heads Kerry Cooper, Dickie Hart and Brent Perry for possible usage, but none of them expressed interesting citing that the buildings were “not sufficient or big enough” and “not feasible.” The building on Wilson Street was appraised at $55,000 and the building across the street from the city hall was appraised at $61,000. Both buildings will remain open for board members to examine in the event of interest.
Weakley County Chamber of Commerce Director Barbara Virgin shared that the Three-Star Program forms had been turned in and Weakley County is now certified in Benchmark One. In order to become certified, 21 required targeted areas must be met and by receiving this status, eligibility is met for certain incentives such as CDBG grants. Virgin stressed, however, that every year, the criteria are raised and the status becomes more difficult to achieve.
In employee’s reports, the board voted, upon the recommendation of Alderman Gwin Anderson to spend up to $5,600 on a dump trailer for the public works department. Thus far, $5,600 is the lowest price yet to be found, but the project will be bid out and will utilize the $5,600 as a ceiling for the price.
Police Chief Brent Perry reported that an auction will take place on July 19 for the sale of several impounded vehicles. Additionally, an audit was recently conducted and everything was found to be in “good standing.” Toya Bell was given special thanks for being “very helpful in providing information.” Last month, Tonya Warren was promoted to the rank of sergeant and Michael Gertsch was recently hired as a part-time officer.
Fire Chief Dickie Hart reported several changes in personnel including Ted Kelly’s stepping down from the position of deputy chief to be replaced by Ronnie Gearin. Patrick Dilday will take Gearin’s place as captain and training officer and Paul Hutcherson will take Dilday’s place as lieutenant. Patrick Tarver was approved to be hired on as a firefighter.
As temperatures are rising and rain is scarce, Hart reminded, “People really need to be careful now. It’s really getting scary. You must have a permit to burn and you must have a water source or water hose near the fire.”
The subject of annexation will be discussed at the August monthly meeting and it will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 4 at the Dresden City Hall.
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