The City of McKenzie needs a new leaf machine, but a new one will cost $68,000, Mayor Jill Holland informed council members at the April 5 meeting.
“If we put $5,000 in the old leaf machine it can be used,” she said.
The city was also checking to possibly buy a dump truck, but most of the ones they had considered had problems.
It was decided in the end to try and fix the current leaf machine up instead of purchasing the new one.
There has been a problem with people leaving foreign objects in their leaves.
Council member Charles Pruneau suggested that citizens be fined that do this. However, Mayor Jill Holland said it’s difficult to fine someone if you don’t know exactly who did it.
“I think we need two people to rake the leaves to check for foreign materials,” said the mayor.
Pruneau said city needs to make sure the public is aware of the rule to separate the leaves from the brush.
Codes officer Phillip Morrissett said he had been sending letters to people about their properties that need attention.
Council member Bobby Young said it is important to clean up when industries are checking out the town and are considering locating here.The mayor said a list is needed so Morrissett can give a status report on these properties.
Council member Garrett Burns said industries will be looking for what is called sweet sites in McKenzie, Huntingdon and Paris. These will be back up industries for Blue Oval City where the Ford Motor plant will locate near Brownsville.
The mayor said the city partnered with Rotary and the Industrial Board for an informational session led by Southwest TN. Development Director Joe Barker. McKenzie is considered a sweet spot for the sateliite industries for Blue Oval City.
The Farmers Market opens Saturday, June 4 and will run through October. McKenzie is trying to obtain a grant for a commercial kitchen for anyone exploring food manufacturing or possibly opening a restaurant.
The Sweet Tea and Southern Pickin’s Festival is set for Aug. 26 and 27. A golf tournament is being planned by the McKenzie Chamber.
Nights on Broadway will be the first and third Thrusdays of each month beginning in June.
