by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the Feb. 2 meeting the Monteagle Council selected a location for a Veterans Memorial, the first step toward a long-discussed project becoming a reality. The council also passed a resolution to apply for a Community Development Block Grant for waterline extension and improvements, the first step in a process that could yield up to $1 million in federal funding. Other first steps taken at the meeting put Monteagle on the path to becoming a Tree City and to reducing costs at the sewer plant.

Arguing for selecting a site for a Veterans Memorial to jumpstart the process, Alderman Dean Lay suggested a vacant tract on the east side of the library. Compared to other proposed sites, the library location has “the best visibility coming from I-24 Exit 135 or coming through town,” Lay said. “The site has not been used for anything since it’s been there.” Alderman Grant Fletcher agreed, “The site matches well with plans for neighboring property.” Plans call for display of the American flag and the flags from the six branches of service displayed in the order in which they were established: army, marine corps, navy, air force, space force, and coast guard. Alderman Nate Wilson is investigating acquiring military equipment for display at the memorial.

On Jan. 8 Southeast Tennessee Development (SETD) hosted a public hearing familiarizing Monteagle residents and officials with CDBG funding options. With a March 20 application deadline, SETD stressed the importance of a quick decision so SETD could move forward with the grant writing process. Approving Mayor Greg Maloofs’ recommendation to apply for a grant to facilitate waterline improvement and extension, Lay said, “There are many areas underserved by line size and pressure.” If received, the grant requires the town to supply up to 15 percent in matching funds.

The council approved a new ordinance creating a Tree Advisory Council, a requirement for receiving Tree City designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation. The Monteagle Community Council will appoint the Tree Advisory Council members. The council is charged with creating a tree list for planting trees on public property. “Becoming a Tree City opens us up to a whole series of grant opportunities,” Wilson said.

The Task Order for Sludge Removal approved by the council allocates $58,500 for design and specification for sludge removal equipment at the sewer plant. “We have an outside contractor who removes sludge. That is getting more and more costly,” explained Maloof. Originally only once annual sludge removal was needed at the sewer plant, but now twice a year removal is necessary. “Some recommendations call for three times a year,” Maloof said. “It becomes economically feasible to buy the machine to do it ourselves.” Fletcher passed along concern from sewer plant operators about whether the equipment “would match up well with Monteagle’s system.” Maloof reassured the council, “I will not sign the task order until we coordinate the demonstration [of the equipment] and meet with the plant operators.” The anticipated cost of the project including design, purchase, and installation is $1 million.

Andy Baggentoss, Vice President of the South Cumberland Chamber of Commerce, asked for a commitment from the council to allow the chamber to host the annual Monteagle Mountain Market at Hannah Pickett Park. The chamber proposes calling the event the Mountain Market, in keeping with the chamber’s name change from the Monteagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce to the South Cumberland Chamber of Commerce to reflect the chamber’s all-encompassing vision for the plateau. Although the chamber has hosted the event in the recent past, Fletcher pointed out the market began 67 years ago as an event hosted by the town. The council approved the Hannah Pickett Park location for the 2026 event. Fletcher hopes going forward for “coordination” between the chamber and the town’s Imagine Monteagle planning initiative. A chamber representative serves on the Imagine Monteagle committee. The council appointed Monteagle resident Linda Brookhart to serve as the town’s representative on the chamber.

Maloof announced the town was experimenting with wrapping trees with a reflective band on Laurel Lake Road to aid motorists during foggy conditions. The tree reflective bands “are more stable than road reflectors,” Maloof pointed out. Monteagle will consider purchasing more reflective bands if they prove effective. Maloof urged residents to contact City Hall to suggest possible locations.