Sewanee Council Welcomes New District 4 Representative
by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
At the March 28 meeting, the Sewanee Community Council welcomed a new District 4 representative and announced meeting dates for 2022-2023. The council also heard updates on project funding grants and the cell tower.
Acting Provost Scott Wilson introduced Marilyn Phelps, the new District 4 representative. The council held a special election in February to fill the seat vacated by Mary Priestley who moved out of the district. Phelps vied against not just one, but two other candidates, unusual for a council election. Phelps has a professional background in clinical social work, served on the board of directors of Folks at Home and as a cochair for the Sewanee Community Chest.
In the 2022-2023 academic year, the council will meet Sept. 12, Oct. 24, Jan. 23, Feb. 27, March 27, April 24, May 22, and June 26. The dates in February, April and June are reserved dates for a possible meeting in the event the council has business to be addressed before the next meeting.
Committee chair Kate Reed reported the Community Funding initiative was still receiving applications for the spring cycle. The grant program has more than $15,000 available to fund improvements and amenities that enhance the community and improve the quality of life in Sewanee. Visit the Community Council page on the University Lease Office website for the application form at <https://new.sewanee.edu/office...;.
Updating the community on the cell tower, Wilson said the provider “was waiting for the final piece of equipment to arrive. As soon as it’s put up, they’re ready to go.” Asked who the provider would be, acting Vice-Chancellor Nancy Berner said the tower owners contracted first with Verizon. Other providers can also contract to put equipment on the tower.
The council meets next on May 23.