Trimble board nixes fireworks display

Absent from the meeting were aldermen Steven Parker and Jody Hinson.

Mayor Davis brought up the issue about the fireworks display for the upcoming Fourth of July celebration.

The board was concerned about rising expenses for this year's display. Tennessee state law says that Trimble must have a certified operator and a state-licensed exhibitor that has competently supervised at least three fireworks displays and has passed a (fireworks) exam. A $100 fee must be paid for each operator that is certified and another $150 for an exam fee. Also, Trimble must show proof of insurance in the amount of $1 million and pay a $1,000 town license fee to the state.

On top of that, the city must also pay for the fireworks.

"I think we need to forget about it this year, the way it looks," said alderman Raymond Ballard.

Alderwoman Darlene Biggers said she hated to, but it was looking like they would have to do away with the display this year.

Ballard made the motion they not hold the Fourth of July fireworks display this year and alderman Matt Stafford added a second. The motion passed unanimously.

Davis then presented a list of candidates to be recommended for the Trimble Board of Zoning Appeals. The list included: Steve Moore, Donna Switzer, Eddie Crain, John Ivy and Bill Emge. Stafford asked had they all been talked to and agreed to a accept the responsibility. Davis answered yes.

Biggers moved that they accept the list and it was seconded by Stafford. The motion passed unanimously.

Davis asked for the board's input for a raise for second-shift patrolman Don Curry.

He recommended the board give him a raise of at least $1 an hour.

Ballard made a motion to increase Curry's wage by $1 an hour and Biggers seconded it. That motion passed with a unanimous decision.

Roger Page was on the agenda for the meeting, but was not present.

Davis asked for any other business among the board members.

Ballard said that he had gone to Obion County to get pipe for a swing set that Don Cook is going to build downtown.

A Day in the Park is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, at the Trimble Community Center. A yard sale will be held to raise money to help in the upkeep of the center.

Biggers said that if nobody has come forth by May 1 they may have to cancel it.

She also said that she would like a list of all the volunteer firemen and first responders.

Biggers then made notice of complaints she had received about a crossing guard not getting out of her car while children were crossing the street. She also asked what was being done about old cars in yards, and made reference to a wreck that almost occurred due to one obstructing a view of the road.

Davis said he would check into both issues.

The board was then asked to vote on approving the renewal of their group insurance.

"We have a pool with other cities and rather than going out on our own it's just a formality we have to go through," said Davis.

Stafford made a motion to approve the renewal, which was seconded by Ballard.

The motion passed in a unanimous vote.

Next, Stafford asked if there was a city curfew for children. Davis' response was "no". Stafford then told of a commotion he heard down by the factory on Saturday night with kids riding their bicycles and stirring up dogs.

Stafford then asked Davis what was going on with the sidewalks.

David Norsworthy, Trimble city administrator and public works director, said the plans had not been finalized on the project and it still needed to go for an environmental review.

He also said the project could possibly be bid out as soon as May, but he didn't know if there was enough money to pay for it to cross the railroad.

"It's still in motion," said Stafford. "That's my main concern. Not where it's at, but that it's still going."

"It's still working," said Norsworthy. "It's just slow."

Part of the cause for the holdup was due to the surveyor not being finished until February, when he should have been finished in November, according to Norsworthy.

"That delayed engineering on the project," said Norsworthy

Ballinger then asked how the amount for the grant was set, without having any drawings or bids put out.

Norsworthy said the amount was determined by the engineer, who based it on past experience.

No further business was before the board and they adjourned.