Correspondent

On Monday, Sept. 19th, the Harrogate Board of Mayor and Aldermen listened as Linda Fultz brought a recommendation to the board on behalf of the city planning commission concerning zoning laws and regulations on drug rehab clinics within the city. The planning commission recommended that the board pass a resolution that would issue a moratorium for 90 days on building permits for drug rehabilitation clinics. What this would do is give the city 90 days in order to amend or revise any city ordinances and zoning laws for such clinics as the methadone clinic that is rumored to be coming to the city due to a recent failure to establish one in Middlesboro, Ky. While the state planner is not currently aware of anything in the works, it does not mean a building permit request will not come in.

After discussing the matter, the board agreed that they have to be careful in not passing an exclusive ordinance, but asked the question about how to classify them. It was brought to the attention of the board that such clinics fall under Americans with Disabilities Act. Finding Dr. Roy C. "Doc" Ellis present at the meeting, the board asked his opinion of the clinics and their helpfulness.

"You get people off cocaine and other drugs by giving them methadone, but how do you get them off the methadone," he asked, noting that it was just as addictive as the first drug.

Ellis said it was trading one habit for another.

"I think that it [a rehab clinic] will attract a lot of people to the area that the community doesn't need or want," said Ellis.

"I have yet to hear a doctor approve or say it helps anyone," said Alderman White.

Following procedure, the board unanimously decided to get the ball rolling on the 90 day freeze on building permits. The first step is a public hearing in which citizens can express their views and opinions on the freeze and the need or want for zoning laws. It was noted that while the city cannot zone it completely out, they can regulate where it cannot be. The hearing was set for Monday, Sept. 30, beginning at 6 p.m. at Harrogate City Hall.

Mayor Bill Fultz gave the road report, telling the board that before winter, the city wanted to be able to finish patching up the roads and putting in the turn lanes on U.S. 25E.

John Adams reported for the fire department that they are still working on the trucks and getting all the equipment installed and in place on them. The property deeds for the Harrogate Fire Department should be in within the month.

"Everyone is on the same page and in agreement with what we are doing," said Fultz. "We just have to get the legal paperwork done."

He also noted that the city is currently applying for a grant in order to construct an ambulance building as well. The project would be for both the city and the county together in order to get an ambulance station closer to the citizens of Harrogate.

Adams continued his report by saying that they are currently taking applications for volunteer fire fighters, and that anyone interested could contact the Cumberland Gap Fire Department or attend a Harrogate City Fire Department meeting that are currently being held at the Cumberland Gap Fire Hall on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m.

"We are ready to serve; we've just not taken over territory yet," he said as he finished his report.

However, the board stressed that even though their city fire department was not yet up and running, the city still have as good if not the best coverage ever with the help of the Cumberland Gap Fire Department and the North Claiborne Fire Department.

Fultz reported that the block wall is up on the library, and the concrete for the sidewalks should be poured within the week. "We are just about ready for the library committee to take over and open the library," he said.

Anyone wanting to donate books to the library may do so by dropping them off at city hall.

The building inspector reported that he and the mayor would be going around the city in search of junk cars and other abandoned vehicles in the city. They intend to enforce city ordinances concerning zoning laws and time limits on such vehicles.

The board reviewed the NIMS ordinance. NIMS stands for National Incident Management System. What this system does is in case of disaster or incident such as the nation saw in New Orleans with Katrina, Harrogate would have a plan in place in order to begin handling the situation immediately until government committees and forces can come in and assist. NIMS established a team with a chain of command so that everyone knows their jobs and places right down to having someone on hand that can approve purchases, such as blankets and water, on site as needed. According to the ordinance, all cities and counties must be in partial compliance by the end of the month and will have one year with which to become fully compliant. If for some reason the city did not become partially compliant by the end of the month, the government will cut off all funds, such as grants and like assistance. Unanimously, agreeing that the plan sounded effective and useful, the board adopted NIMS.

Reporting for the Planning and Zoning Commission, Linda Fultz told the board about their meeting. Gary Miller came before the Commission concerning a proposal from Pump Springs Baptist Church to work with FEMA by putting up housing for Katrina victims on church property; about which, she reported, much discussion from those present ensued, however, no actions were taken and no proposals or suggestions were to come before the board during this meeting.

The board approved an ordinance requiring connection to the public wastewater system where the service is available. The ordinance states that "an engineering survey has determined that many of the private sewer systems within the City are failed or are failing and are polluting the environment or pose a potential health risk to the city; and Whereas, a public wastewater system is essential for the health and environment of the community and for continued economic development of the city." After which, it lists the requirements for proper wastewater disposal.

Upon opening the floor to all present, some citizens came forward with concerns about trash in the community. They were particularly concerned about a child being seen living in such unsanitary conditions. They were also concerned about the treatment of the child. The mayor assured the concerned citizens that he would be in contact with DHS and look further into the situation and handle it to the best of the city and all concerned, especially the child.

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned.