Jonesborough aldermen approve multiple contracts, event permits and personnel changes; sidewalk decision deferred

Jonesborough’s Board of Aldermen approved a series of contracts, special-event permits, personnel actions and a new employee insurance plan at its regular meeting, while deferring a sidewalk contract pending additional outreach to property owners.

The board approved federal- and state-funded transportation and utility contracts, awarded a traffic-signal installation bid, authorized special-event permits for three downtown festivals and approved two municipal job descriptions and reappointments to an advisory board. Aldermen also approved continuing the town’s employee insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield at a 5.17% renewal rate.

The meeting’s approvals included a $887,229 low bid from Stansell Electric Co. to install a permanent signal at the Tiger Way/Lehi/Wendy’s intersection and multiple smaller contracts for water infrastructure and seasonal services. The board also approved special-event permits for the Wizardly World of Jonesborough (Aug. 9), Pumpkin Fest (Sept. 20) and Jeep Fest (Labor Day, Sept. 1). Officials approved an outdoor-use permit for Pneuma Coffee’s Fox Street location and accepted a Tennessee Department of Transportation maintenance agreement. Reappointments to the Tree & Town Skateboard advisory group (Nancy Kavanaugh, Virginia Kennedy and Melinda Kopp) were approved.

On personnel matters, the board approved two funded job descriptions for the McKinney Center (Arts & Culture Education Assistant and…