Goode
Hayden’s focus was on the presence of logging trucks traveling through the city, an issue that has drawn Commission and law enforcement debate over the past several weeks.
According to Hayden’s reports, officers from the Tennessee Highway Patrol assisted in recent truck inspections. He said the numbers of trucks coming through town each day seems to be down by about three. Goode read aloud a letter from Hayden to the THP’s Lt. Harmon, Col. Tracy Trott and Capt. David McGill.
“The citizens of Charleston, Tennessee, would like to thank Lt. Harmon and the troopers who assisted in the recent truck inspections in our area. ... We still are working on developing a truck route to make our city even safer and with the recent inspections, it is proven the situation needs immediate attention,” Goode read. “The truck route would put the large trucks from Exit 33 to Exit 36 and keep the congestion to a minimum and away from our schools ...”
Goode said the city’s intention is not to ban the trucks from coming through Charleston.
“We just want them to refrain from using jake brakes, follow the speed limit, and do what they are supposed to do. ... We hope this letter to them will kindly let them know we are not trying to stop their money,” Goode said. “We would just prefer for trucks under 80,000 pounds already on the interstate to continue on the interstate and use Exit 36. We would also prefer trucks coming from Highway 58, Meigs County, to use Lamontville Road.”
The Commission decided the city planning commission will meet next week on Thursday at 6 p.m. The planning commission will discuss the terms of service of annexation. The meeting will make sure the city can provide the services it has promised. The information will be sent back to the Charleston City Commission following next week’s meeting. According to Goode, the annexation will leave the city about 35 people short of 1,000. The city will be able to apply for certain grants once the 1,000 number is reached.
“It is important we are getting our annexation back on board. We have been talking about this for two to three years and I want to get this finalized,” Goode said. “Maybe it will be a great Christmas gift to us.”
McDermott made a motion for business hours to be available for the public each week at the municipal building. The office will be open on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The first day of availability will be Thursday, Sept. 6.
Additional news discussed includes:
- Chief Dewey Woody said 16 new firefighters have been hired. The firefighters will undergo 580 hours of training and in 13 weeks will be able to test for the Fire Fighter 1 classification.
“We started the bid process for our six pieces of equipment last Wednesday. Bid specs went out to respective vendors and legal notices went out for purchasing the six pieces of equipment— three engines and three tankers,” Woody said. “We are looking to bid the stations in the next couple of weeks.”
- A new officer has been hired at the Charleston Police Department. The new officer has recently served in Calhoun. He will be replacing a recently resigned officer at the department.
- The Charleston-Calhoun-Hiwassee Historical Society gave an update on the Heritage Center and discussed upcoming events, like the International Cowpea Festival. According to reports, the ball is still rolling with the Heritage Center. Representatives say it is a matter of time as members generate more revenue. Many members of the Historical Society are currently focused on preparing for the Cowpea Festival.
Melissa Woody said the Historical Society will be screening the “Wild River” documentary Saturday, Aug. 19 at 3 p.m. in the Walker Valley High School theater. The screening will take place during the society’s normal meeting hours and is free to the public.
The deadline for the International Cowpea Festival Agri-heritage Photo Contest is this Friday. Photos can be uploaded on the website. The deadline to enter the Princess and the Cowpea natural beauty contest is Wednesday, Aug. 22. Visit cowpeafestival.com for additional details.
- Lonza donated $500 toward the Charleston Park.
