By KEVIN BOWDEN
Staff Reporter
Monday night’s near hour-long meeting of the Samburg mayor and board of aldermen may have been the board’s last in the old City Hall.
City officials expect to be moved in to the new facility by next month’s meeting.
In the board’s final meeting inside the old City Hall, former board member Johnnie Johnson was sworn back on to the board. He replaces Gerald Reed, who recently resigned.
Also during Monday night’s meeting, Samburg Fire Chief Ken Hogg was given the green light to spend up to $5,800 to relocate and upgrade the fire department’s radio tower and purchase $800 worth of computer software for the fire department.
All the money will come out of the fire department’s budget, but the board’s approval is needed to move forward with the two projects.
“We need to move the tower site,” Hogg told the board.
He explained the current tower location is not working for the fire department, and he will oversee the tower’s move from Mt. Manuel Church Road to Hogg Hill. Moving and upgrading the tower will improve radio reception for firefighters, according to Hogg. He said relocating the tower will cost from $3,000 to $5,000.
The Samburg Volunteer Fire Department will also purchase an $800 computer software program similar to the program being used by the Hornbeak Volunteer Fire Department. Hogg said the new program will be used as a database for the fire department, tracking such things as vehicle and equipment maintenance and personnel.
“It would benefit us,” Hogg said.
Hogg’s request to use the fire department’s funds was unanimously approved by the board.
In other action Monday night, the board:
• Discussed at length a proposed job description policy for the city recorder and a proposed work sheet for city workers.
“This is something I just wanted to put out there,” board member Eddie Fickle said.
He provided board members with a copy of a proposed work sheet to keep track of the hours worked by city employees. He also provided board members with a four-page proposed job description for the city recorder. No actual vote was taken on either item, and the proposals are expected to be taken up again at the board’s April meeting.
• Discussed at length the Reelfoot Lake Regional Utility and Planning District and a planned rate increase for Samburg. At the heart of the conversation was whether the city can take care of its own sewer system.
Fickle said the city’s sewer rates are hurting residents and driving away businesses in the town. The issue is expected to resurface at the board’s April meeting.
• Was informed a new red light will be installed at Samburg’s four-way stop, possibly as soon as June. Mayor Larry Gene Davis said he was informed by Tennessee Department of Transportation officials the red light has been approved for the city.
Absent from Monday night’s meeting was board member Joe Denton.
Staff Reporter Kevin Bowden may be contacted by email at kmbowden@ucmessenger.com.

Published in The Messenger 3.5.13