[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6463944,"mediaKeyId","5784721-2b258c9330a71810fdc96ad906f047e6","parentId",5784721,"title","Oakland aldermen discuss charter change to shift hiring authority to town manager; workshop set for Oct. 16","audioSeconds",877,"startMs",2742905,"endMs",3620670,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784721-2b258c9330a71810fdc96ad906f047e6&start=2742&end=3620","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784721-2b258c9330a71810fdc96ad906f047e6/thumbnail_2742905.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6463944/Oakland/Fayette-County/Tennessee/Oakland-aldermen-discuss-charter-change-to-shift-hiring-authority-to-town-manager-workshop-set-for-Oct-16","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463944-14024a70784d28a4061a76b9ea852a43/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181239&Signature=PmftyDmPfbhz2bnrlGozH4P8oh4q8PLC-mHwn1VzyNsNC3e2fUXA5V8QCEYHAK~0ubUiFT8PqVqSubNgCV7BSf0FNI5mEpU4eex3kYHLt1zs20yM6JYzZpteMMsFGSftuXP2a3kWy9jHrps~3oA3M-jTpMegccT65F8fTEJHxJRofIZvr62NTmavdhiyPrsl4WO4rngH3FcJmNN3262NUA~23imHDnIpCIxLVJRf8aInInBvP0LLwjTPUZSGh~FJFH8oCTh3cuk2z3fJKhwUKZFv8QA8nM-cNy7D1CgzxlA3JqB9UuT6Gu9M-AAlXUM5tPN4be9NVqe1vWfQjf2icQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Oakland","date","2025-09-18T23:40:36Z","article","Vice Mayor Cates introduced Resolution 25‑29, a proposed charter amendment intended to transfer the authority to appoint and remove department heads, including the town recorder, from the mayor and board to the town manager.

Town Manager Mister Ellis and Town Attorney Mister Minor both participated in discussion about the draft language. Board members requested explicit appeal language so an employee who believes a termination was unjust can appeal to the mayor and board; Attorney Minor pointed out the draft already includes a provision that \"any terminated town employee shall have the right to appeal the termination to the mayor and board.\" Board members also debated whether the board should review resumes for department head hires; the attorney advised that language requiring board review of resumes is better placed in a resolution or personnel policy rather than the charter.

Several aldermen said they wanted a dedicated workshop to review charter changes and clean up wording. Board members noted that charter amendments require four affirmative votes and two readings. A motion to table the resolution was made and subsequently withdrawn; the board agreed to hold a workshop at 6 p.m. on Oct. 16, before the regular 7 p.m. meeting, to continue drafting and discussion.

No final vote on Resolution 25‑29 occurred at the meeting; board members instructed staff and counsel to prepare revised language and a possible separate resolution addressing the board’s role in hiring materials for consideration at the workshop.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Oakland Tennessee Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","The board discussed Resolution 25‑29, a proposed charter amendment moving appointment and removal authority for department heads from the mayor/board to the town manager; board members asked for appeal language and agreed to a workshop before the October regular meeting.","taxTitle","Oakland, Fayette County, Tennessee","taxId",71227,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6463950,"Oakland approves $50,000 seed funding for new Industrial Development Board",330,3173435,3503980,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784721-2b258c9330a71810fdc96ad906f047e6&start=3173&end=3503","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784721-2b258c9330a71810fdc96ad906f047e6/thumbnail_3173435.jpg","/articles/6463950/Oakland/Fayette-County/Tennessee/Oakland-approves-50000-seed-funding-for-new-Industrial-Development-Board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463950-ca60c43aa4050ce91e4033d471734661/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181239&Signature=mu~WJaZN7vZDxPNL0ygiwAbvNom3sxXSHDVCSMlqVE4TbvfP2gHUKrW55PZzkzXsIbkro-1bhHHqMIqLuJEPL2VzhrnvHbpa7cCe9jYXyelbNdi8Uk66RK1wvbkm3KKpdAIjlwDKwO7l5eN9GEgv5~u6Nsx42P4Jb6k6Fri-3NpL8gvCRGObB986awFKWgsIb7LD8a6h2cC0mwfgcFUZp5m-Y2QR0eY-PJDVxQ7CSoSeGt7WqtmojO7CD4~~K1e~lHaKr9O5wQnBZKX~65LcQVRkn7tPMDX7zL-cZbsGNqbLg7KLd7qqWM8Cn0qrhyCiasy0FVopgc6yz5xTfh-2rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Aldermen voted to allocate $50,000 from the general fund (planning department, line 200 for economic development) to the newly established Industrial Development Board.

Town Manager Mister Ellis said the Industrial Development Board (IDB) held its initial meeting, appointed officers and adopted bylaws; the board and the aldermen discussed hiring an economic development consulting firm and the need for seed funding to support early operations. Two IDB members — Benny Blue and Jana Green — attended the meeting.

Attorney Mister Minor and other participants described the $50,000 as an initial loan to the IDB for operating and consultant costs; board members said the IDB is intended to become self‑funding through fees and revenue generated by economic development activity. Participants discussed examples of other communities that provided small initial funding and later increased investment when the board produced results.

A motion to approve Resolution 25‑30 carried by voice vote; no roll call was recorded in the meeting transcript provided. The town manager said the sum would be placed under the planning department budget and turned over to the IDB for its use.","The Board approved a $50,000 allocation from the general fund to the newly formed Industrial Development Board to support start‑up activity and retain an economic development consultant; board members described the allocation as a loan intended to make the IDB self‑funding over time.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6463955,"Oakland approves change to peddler and solicitor rules, restores no‑solicit list",519,2213445,2732984,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784721-2b258c9330a71810fdc96ad906f047e6&start=2213&end=2732","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784721-2b258c9330a71810fdc96ad906f047e6/thumbnail_2213445.jpg","/articles/6463955/Oakland/Fayette-County/Tennessee/Oakland-approves-change-to-peddler-and-solicitor-rules-restores-nosolicit-list","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463955-ba5eb5013e0e5909b9e8801c21dbb6cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181239&Signature=O18qruXCY85QdMfxgdUDkNgT7WdJ7~w4IVJY9AhstalYR8ETUJ6fY7r~SRxrDpTwW0yPQioU7RtYMQIogNo84LHpD9lePof~wTmTlyNnCW9zMxuRh3KaLWqbk9twIWehie6ug-qaq9ZAQ~Pg-W0gaVCiqdYt~ngbfLCsTZa~HyFWJSfSxXuN-1QnZdhXLh4ZD6tIUVWKo~YJq74H1jt8uuTuqfhzG74sGkrtr3KAXPeIzdz3o6~KQowwTaVpNcXTMyhcsNuMvlZXZmylUg0dSjn0B0Xznye4sVCPdvM2LP5x0WLSCh9K-VIM-ShkZlysYwFZQZSBm~nIMSnGz8Ygig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Aldermen voted to approve Ordinance 25‑10, a second and final reading amendment to Ordinance 23‑24, removing language that had barred dwellings from restrictions on peddlers, solicitors, transient vendors and street callers.

Town Manager Mister Ellis told the board the change permits door‑to‑door sales in Oakland but requires solicitors to obtain a permit, background check and an identifying badge; residents may register for a no‑solicitation list that Ellis said will be available on the town website and also at the town office. The town manager said residents who encounter a solicitor without an ID badge should call the police department.

At a public hearing before the vote, resident Mister Newhouse of Countryside Drive criticized the ordinance as ineffective without explicit penalties, saying that without enforcement the rules are “like having a speed limit sign … but if you wanna go faster, go ahead because there’s no fine.” He urged the board to consider stronger sanctions such as fines or revoking a vendor’s business license.

Attorney Mister Minor and other board members discussed where enforcement consequences would be codified. Board members noted there are other municipal ordinances and statutes that provide enforcement mechanisms, but the ordinance as presented does not list a specific monetary penalty for failing to comply with the no‑solicit list. One board member also noted the town previously maintained a no‑solicitation database that was lost to a crash and said this ordinance restores that capability.

A motion to approve Ordinance 25‑10 carried with members saying “Aye”; no roll‑call vote was recorded in the meeting minutes presented during the session.

The ordinance sponsors said the town will publish a downloadable/no‑solicit form online and allow residents to submit entries to the town office for enforcement tracking. The board did not add additional penalty language during the meeting; board members discussed addressing enforcement details through related resolutions or policy if desired.","On second and final reading the council amended Ordinance 23‑24 to remove language that excluded dwellings, reinstated a no‑solicit list and set permit/background‑check requirements for door‑to‑door sales; enforcement details and penalties were described as limited.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6463959,"Oakland director's order prompts $16,500 fine as new wastewater plant nears completion",310,1554535,1865174,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784721-2b258c9330a71810fdc96ad906f047e6&start=1554&end=1865","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784721-2b258c9330a71810fdc96ad906f047e6/thumbnail_1554535.jpg","/articles/6463959/Oakland/Fayette-County/Tennessee/Oakland-directors-order-prompts-16500-fine-as-new-wastewater-plant-nears-completion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463959-fa115cecb67623fa60e3dee070227840/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181239&Signature=AktKfEJcOE9Fi1K3WlVTaxfNSbyF2N11vBLQFgDzTZ006zUJwUe97O7tVs569SeCvwOlGEEVUXLX4oJxQSAdQLUS5LhY5orTNt06p3-u8w6Y~wT~JWolVej5mUsDC7kvOzHHhsAePDsdP2jPtTASE5IH5~wQcsP6FqHcXWiQq3g-mJjW15rBmMq~MbInElo-iOPw569EbjHmK98YLvyw8Qn3KLYeZceVWybYxnvVvkisvXyj05CLk4WWMJV8flazp8M-ySuxDmWjbuk7hM3L2ZeIkMDdRZv5mojNslKURfyOuFvfo7mcVphy5nbWQM6YYl7K6FCtDluX8mZw9fWSEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mister Coker, Oakland’s wastewater director, told the Board of Aldermen that the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation placed the town under a director’s order and assessed a $16,500 fine while crews complete tie‑ins on a new wastewater treatment plant.

Coker said crews this month put flow to two new basins for the first time and began pipe tie‑ins that required coordination with pump trucks and temporary lift‑station operations. He said the town currently has three pump trucks in use to maintain flows while work continues. Coker told the board the town is roughly 75% finished with the plant and that engineers submitted the corrective action plan required by the state.

The director’s order follows previous enforcement steps the town faced, Coker said, including a consent decree entered before his tenure. He said the town’s violations decreased by about 60% even while the plant handled increased load and construction disruptions, and he described the state inspection as a “surprise inspection” that preceded the director’s order.

When asked how long the town would remain under directives if construction had not progressed, Coker said being 75% complete and submitting the engineering corrective action plan limits the duration; he estimated the town could be under the directives for roughly six months and said the town hopes to be out from under the director’s order by mid‑next year.

Coker recommended paying the assessed fine and moving ahead with plant commissioning rather than pursuing an appeal. He framed the decision as pragmatic for the town’s ability to finish the plant and resume normal regulatory status.

Board members and staff praised public‑works crews for long hours on the tie‑ins. Coker singled out collection system supervisor Cornelius Allen and staff members who logged extended shifts to keep lift stations operational during the work. He said the system still requires one motor replacement to restore all lift stations to full operation and repeated the estimate that the new plant will be operational in about six months.

No formal board action was recorded on the director’s order during the meeting; the item was presented as an informational department report and update on plant construction.","Town wastewater director told the Board of Aldermen the state issued a director’s order and a $16,500 fine even as workers tied new piping and put flow into new basins; town expects to be released from the order after plant completion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Oakland aldermen discuss charter change to shift hiring authority to town manager; workshop set for Oct. 16

Oakland approves $50,000 seed funding for new Industrial Development Board

Oakland approves change to peddler and solicitor rules, restores no‑solicit list

Oakland director's order prompts $16,500 fine as new wastewater plant nears completion