Signal Mountain council moves to put $25,000 brush‑chipping contract on next meeting agenda as storage nears capacity

Signal Mountain town staff asked the Town Council to place a contract for wood‑chipping and brush‑shipping services on the council’s next regular meeting agenda. The contract is for $25,000; staff said a drafting error in the contract’s “whereas” clause currently lists $20,000 and will be corrected before the item returns for a vote.

The request matters because public works reported the town’s brush/yard‑waste storage at the Timberlinks site is nearly full. Public works said the town paused chipping for a year while it experimented with a burn box, but the department has budgeted to resume chipping this year and wants the contractor in place quickly to avoid overflow and additional storm‑collection burdens.

Public works described the near‑capacity condition at Timberlinks and said the town has a backup agreement to store excess brush at a Prentice Cooper site. Council members asked about fire protection near backup storage; staff said Timberlinks has a water hookup but the Prentice Cooper location is “pretty far back” and likely has no nearby hydrant. No formal contract award occurred in the work session; council members expressed comfort putting a resolution authorizing the contract on the next regular meeting agenda.

Council and staff said they will correct the typographical amount in the draft contract (the clause that reads $20,000 will be changed to the intended $25,000) before the contract returns for formal action. Staff also said they will include any required clarifications about storage logistics and the alternate Prentice Cooper location when the resolution returns.

The item concluded with council agreement to place the contract resolution on the next meeting agenda so the council can take formal action.