Fire Chief Brian Tucker provides information to McKenzie City Councilman Gene Hale of the recent purchase of a fire truck. The city paid $20,000 to purchase the truck out of Pennsylvania.

MCKENZIE (January 24) – McKenzie Mayor and Council will convene once monthly on the second Thursday of each month following approval during their semi-monthly meeting on January 24. The measure becomes effective in February. In a vote of three to one, with two absent of the six-member council, the measure was approved on final reading. Councilman Charles Ramey cast the lone dissenting vote and councilpersons Jill Holland and Darra Adkins were absent.

Mayor Walter Winchester said the council will hold informal work sessions on the fourth Thursday of each month in lieu of the traditional meeting. If urgent business arises, Winchester said a special meeting can be called. McKenzie’s semi-monthly meetings were usually 10 to 15 minutes in duration. Of the eight municipalities in Carroll County, only McKenzie and Huntingdon convened more than once monthly.

The city additionally applied for three grants. The first is a Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation grant to replace field lighting at the Little League and T-Ball fields. The total project is estimated at $132,500, with the city required to pay 50 percent, if the grant is received. Ramey questioned if the city’s portion, $66,000, was budgeted. Winchester said the grant will not be awarded until next fiscal year. Councilman Brad Davis said reserve funds could be used if the city can get a 50 percent match. Winchester said some of the city’s local funding could be provided by in-kind labor or services.

The second grant application is for an 80/20 grant from the Department of Environment and Conservation to construct a walking/bicycling trail and parking lot on the recently purchased Lawrence property joining McKenzie Park. The trails would be eight-feet wide, said Winchester.

A third grant application was for a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $500,000 to continue the city’s sewer rehabilitation project. Last year, the city had a significant amount of repairs to the decaying sewer lines. Instiuform re-lined the sewer lines to prevent storm water infiltration into the sewer. Additional sewer pipes need to be re-lined in other parts of the city.

The second and final reading on the adoption of a new flood plain map was approved. Winchester said the approval allows affected property owners to purchase federal flood insurance at a reasonable price.

Councilman Gene Hale reported Councilwoman Darra Adkins is still hospitalized and not doing well.

Following the meeting, the council inspected the city’s newest fire/rescue truck purchased for $20,000. The vehicle was purchased through a government online auction in Pennsylvania. Fire Chief Brian Tucker said the truck is in excellent condition and is better equipped than expected. It will be the first to roll on rescue/extrication calls, and the third truck out on fire calls. The truck replaces the Howe pumper.

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