by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

“Stay off your cell phones,” Monteagle Police Chief William Raline warned motorists at the Dec. 30 Monteagle Council meeting, citing an issue with distracted driving in the school zone. His restructuring of the police department will mean increased officer presence, Raline stressed.

Police officers Cory Wallace and Basil Cross recently graduated from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy. With Raline’s restructuring, two officers will be on duty for most of each shift, and two officers were promoted to patrol sergeant to provide constant leadership.

Although vehicle crashes had decreased, Raline said speeding was still a problem. The highest number of serious accidents occurred on Highway 41 between Monteagle and Tracy City. Trussell Road, Laurel Lake Road, and Highway 41 between Monteagle and Sewanee were also problem areas, according to Raline. He suggested flashing “slow down” signs. In addition to being effective in deterring speeding, the devices collect data on motorists’ speed and the times of day when speeding is most frequent. Mayor Greg Maloof and Raline will investigate the options and cost.

Most minor accidents occurred in the vicinity of the Pilot truck plaza, Raline said. Alderman Dean Lay pointed out trucks frequently parked on the roadside in that area. Raline confirmed the practice was illegal. “I 100 percent agree more attention is needed there,” Raline said.

Codes Enforcement Officer Travis Lawyer called the council’s attention to an issue with wire-frame signs that advertised businesses. “I pulled every sign prior to the Christmas parade,” Lawyer said. He explained the signs were illegal in homeowners’ yards unless the business was located there. When a sign on private property that had been there over three years was brought to his attention, Lawyer advised the business owner to remove the sign. “He [the business owner] asked me how he could keep the sign there,” Lawyer said. Lawyer recommended he take his request to the planning commission.

“There are two problems,” said Alderman Dan Sargent. One, the sign was “illegal,” and two, the business owner was paying the property owner for displaying the sign on the property, a practice Sargent objected to. Alderman Grant Fletcher concurred. “It’s like having a billboard on your property,” Fletcher said.

Alderman Nate Wilson observed the business owner’s only recourse was to ask the planning commission to recommend a change to the ordinance governing signage. Wilson said signage promoting regional tourist development was allowed as an exception.

Updating the council on the Dec. 5 fire at the Mountain Inn located behind Waffle House, Lawyer said he had condemned the building since the estimated damage exceeded 50 percent of the appraised value. Lawyer also serves as fire chief. The fire was attributed to “reckless burning.” The owners have until January 6 to meet condemnation guidelines for securing the building in the interest of public safety, Lawyer said. The owners have 6 months if they choose to remediate the building and reestablish occupancy. After six months, if remediation was not underway, the building must be torn down, Wilson said. Two occupants of the motel were treated for smoke inhalation and two fire fighters were injured.

The council elected Wilson vice mayor.

A joint session of the council and planning commission will interview candidates for the zoning-review consultant position at 3 p.m., Jan. 14.

The council passed a resolution of appreciation for Mary Jane Flowers who died Dec. 8. Flowers served on the planning commission, council, and beautification committee.

The council approved a business permit for Uplift Wellness and Aesthetics on 15 South Central Avenue, owned by dermatologist physician’s assistant Lindsay Hayler. Hayler will offer dermatological treatment and wellness nutrition counseling.