Correspondent

Fireworks vendors dominated the rescheduled meeting of the Harrogate Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Thursday, Feb. 9th.

Mayor Bill Fultz announced that the city has not received all of the sales tax money due from temporary vendors who sold fireworks in 2005. A long discussion ensued regarding the legality and requirements regarding companies who erect tents for such sales during June and July each year. On one side were local year round vendors with permanent structures. On the other side were local business people who rent space to out of town vendors. All generally agreed that, regardless of the sales venue, the city should benefit from the seasonal sales. Reading the city ordinance, Fultz commented that the situation is not directly addressed and plans to seek a legal review so that the matter can be firmly resolved before this years selling season. ă

"We will do something and we hope it is right," said Fultz.

The issue will be taken up again at the March meeting of the BMA.

In other business, the mayor announced that orders are being taken for trees at City Hall with an order deadline of Feb. 24th. Harrogate will observe Arbor Day on Monday, March 27.

The city and county spring clean-up will be held on Saturday, April 1st. Harrogate will pay two dollars per bag of city trash delivered to the collection site.

Fultz announced that the city received a grant for $1,951 to be used to improve the city museum.

The board approved renewal of the current insurance policy on city owned structures and added three walking bridges and the vending shelter in the city park to the list of structures covered. Also in the park, Harrogate now has state authorization to begin construction on permanent restroom facilities. Plans for location and design will now begin to move forward.

Chief John Adams reported that the Harrogate Volunteer Fire Department successfully completed their first official call-out by establishing a temporary helicopter landing zone at Lincoln Memorial University. The zone was established to support a Middlesboro, Ky. patient when fog prevented a landing in that city. Adams also told the board that Johnson City donated 30 boxes of turn-out gear to the fire department.

The board approved on second reading, an ordinance to restrict the location of Methadone Clinics to the Light Industrial District of the city.

Also on second reading, the board approved an ordinance enacting a $50 per day fine for owners of animals deemed to be a public nuisance. The ordinance also establishes basic requirements for the humane treatment of animals.

A resolution declaring development of a city sewer system to be a top priority was also passed.