Trezevant Board Discusses Drug Testing Policy, Cat Overpopulation

TREZEVANT (August 13) — Tuesday’s meeting of the Trezevant Board of Aldermen was heavy on discussion but light on action (for now) as two issues dominated the two-hour meeting: the fallout from last month’s drug testing of street department employees and the excessive number of cats roaming town.

During the July 9 meeting, aldermen discussed the testing of the department, which was apparently prompted by concerns voiced by citizens that one employee was seen at a house allegedly known for drug use.

There were a number of lapses in protocol in the process.

Mayor Bobby Blaylock was uninformed about the tests until rumors of the results began swirling. The town’s policy states that “reasonable suspicions” should be brought to the mayor in writing before any testing is administered.

According to Alderman Leon Lyell, no consent forms were signed and containers were not properly labeled.

Further, there was no official communication between the town and Family Medical Clinic prior to the testing of the samples, and the clinic had not been provided with the town’s policy.

The employee in question, whose results returned as containing illicit drugs and canine urine, was placed on a 30-day paid leave.

Town attorney Charles Trotter, who was not present at the July meeting but has since listened to the meeting and apprised himself of the facts, addressed the issues at length.

Trotter lamented the shortcomings of the town’s drug policy and recommended two actions: the implementation of the policy written by the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) and certification as a Tennessee Drug-Free Workplace.

The attorney presented examples of products used to mask drug tests, which he had purchased at two nearby businesses. He noted that although attempting to defraud a test is a Class A misdemeanor, such products are legal to purchase.

He described the MTAS policy as robust and thorough and as providing greater protections for all parties involved. He also noted that certification by the state as a Drug-Free Workplace would not only protect the town from exposure, but would save the town $288.90 annually on workman’s compensation insurance.

Aldermen were provided with copies of the current town policy and the MTAS policy to review and consider.

Trotter offered that there was no evidence to indicate that the clinic had done anything improper. “Whatever they were given, they tested, and whatever it came out is what it was.”

He suggested that the town would need to try to repair the damage done to the relationship with the clinic as a result of the situation.

The board heard from two citizens concerned (for different reasons) about the number of cats roaming free in town.

One, Cathy Earls, explained that she has noticed the number of feral and stray cats increase. She said that she has been trapping cats on her property, having them spayed or neutered and releasing them in an attempt to reduce the number of new kittens. Adding to her concern is a neighbor who Earls said is also trapping cats, but is apparently taking them to an undisclosed location and releasing them.

Another citizen, who identified herself only as a resident of Atwood Street, stated that as a 70-year-old with asthma, she cannot “have cats crawling on my stuff…. and nobody claims them, so we need a solution.”

Attorney Trotter noted that local ordinance only requires that cats be vaccinated for rabies and that state law allows cats to “run at large.”

The Atwood Street resident inquired about a solution for her health concerns, and Trotter responded that the only action the town could likely take would be to pass an ordinance and hire an animal control officer.

He recommended that Earls speak to the district attorney about the neighbor’s actions.

The board briefly discussed purchasing a piece of land next to the fire station to be converted into a small recreation area. Mayor Blaylock opined that a single basketball goal, a couple of swings and a picnic table would be valuable to youth living in the immediate area. Gabby Davis, the town’s chief municipal financial officer, recommended against such an endeavor at present, urging to take projects one at a time and focus on higher priorities first. Alderman Dan Dieringer requested that more information be gathered on costs before dismissing the idea entirely.

Davis requested a special called meeting on September 3 to allow for final budget amendments to be approved. The second reading will occur the following week at the regular meeting. She also inquired about a line item in the budget committing $1,000 to the Industrial Development Board. Alderman Don Barger confirmed that the board was now self-sustaining and the payment could be removed from the budget.

Finally, discussion was held on the upcoming retirement of City Recorder Kathy Weatherford and how best to fill her position. Aldermen were interested in ways to reorganize duties to more efficiently serve the town’s needs.