Huntingdon’s Town Council voted in support of the Tennessee Dept. of Transportation’s (TDOT) plan for improvement to Highway 22 and providing a safe entrance to the town’s Industrial Park South at the Sept. 8 meeting.
The rules were suspended to allow the vote since the resolution wasn’t originally on the agenda.
Mayor Dale Kelley read the resolution which noted the plans for an access road will serve Dynamix Casting and Flux which has a manufacturing plant there as well as future tenants.
“It is a $1,657,000 project that will be funded by TDOT,” said the mayor.
The Police Department was given permission by the council to offer an online driver’s safety school that would be offered by tndriver.com whose owner is Matt Hall and is based in Rockwood. The Tenn. Dept. of Safety and Municipal Judge Marsha Johns have approved the use of the school.
“It will not only provide a convenience for persons eligible for driver’s safety school, but also help limit the risk of exposure to the infection during this pandemic,” said Kelley. “The Police Department will still offer a live class at the Public Safety building for those that prefer to avoid the online fee.”
The online school charges a fee of $50 with an eligible offender going online to complete the school. The offender would then forward their certificate of completion and payment in the amount of $145 to the Police Department, and their violation will be dismissed.
Public Safety Director Walter Smothers, who was present, said it was a way to protect the officers from the virus. However, he pointed out that when people who live at far away places receive speeding tickets and don’t want to drive back for a four-hour course, it’s a convenience for them.
In other business related to the Police Department, permission was granted for the hiring of an additional part-time dispatcher. There are four current dispatchers, but they are not always available to cover shifts.
A resolution passed by the council authorized the disbursement of funds to various organizations. They include: AYSO 1077 CC Youth Soccer, $500; Carroll Academy Athletic Program, $375; Chamber of Commerce, $1,500; County Library, $2,500; County Rescue Squad, $750; County Sports Hall of Fame, $187.50; Carl Perkins Center, $375; Huntingdon Girls Softball League, $750; Huntingdon Band Boosters, $750; Huntingdon Jr. Babe Ruth, $375; Huntingdon Boys Baseball, $750; Huntingdon Golf Team, $200; Huntingdon Police Dept./Help for needy, $187.50; Huntingdon Recreation Center, $500; Huntingdon Special School District $1,500; Huntingdon Project Graduation, $250; Huntingdon Youth Football League, $500; L. H. Chance Memorial Scholarship, $500; and West. TN. River Basin, $2.600 for a total of $15,050.
A contract agreement was approved with AudienceView Ticketing Corp as the ticketing platform for the Dixie Carte Performing Arts Center.
The Dixie’s current ticketing system Vendini is being transitioned into AudienceView. The Dixie staff is not searching for a new system, but Vendini is being phased out. By continuing with AudienceView, The Dixie can maintain all patron history since the center opened.
A water bill for Dwayne Thomas of 344 Forrest Hill Drive was adjusted due to a leaking commode. The $1,001.19 bill was adjusted to $250.
The mayor reminded citizens to be sure and respond to the census questionnaire since it ends Sept. 30. The certified populations provided by the census affects how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funds are allocated nationwide, including local health care, transportation, public safety, and education.
