Thompson's Station approves budget amendment, wastewater‑fee increase and multiple contracts; speed‑limit change advances
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Summary
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Jan. 13 approved a $4.3 million budget amendment for TDOT‑linked Highway 31 work, a 5.01% wastewater‑fee increase, a $762,000 town‑hall renovation contract and a $4.1 million sewer contract, authorized two wastewater‑capacity reservation MOUs and advanced a speed‑limit ordinance on first reading.
Thompson's Station’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved several capital and utility measures at its Jan. 13 meeting, including a budget amendment to accept TDOT funds for a Highway 31 widening, an adjustment to wastewater impact fees, a town‑hall renovation contract and authorization to award a gravity‑sewer construction contract.
The board adopted Ordinance 2025‑016 on second reading to add $4,300,000 to the town’s transportation capital improvement project to accommodate TDOT’s Highway 31 widening request. Town staff introduced the amendment and the board approved it on a roll‑call vote of four ayes, with one member absent.
In a separate vote the board approved Ordinance 2025‑017 on second reading, a periodic adjustment that raises wastewater impact and effluent disposal fees by 5.01% based on the Engineering News‑Record construction cost index. Staff recommended the change as part of the town’s scheduled fee review.
Council members also approved a contract for town‑hall renovations that the mayor said was previously budgeted. “We’re spending $762,000 on this renovation. This money was budgeted last year,” the mayor said, urging residents to contact the town directly with questions rather than relying on social‑media posts. Staff said the contract includes a phased schedule and dust‑control measures; the board voted 4–0 to approve the contract.
The board approved Resolution 2026‑001 to add two memoranda of understanding that allow developers to prepay full wastewater impact fees to reserve capacity in the 1,850,000‑gallons‑per‑day wastewater‑treatment‑plant expansion approved by the town in October. Staff and council members discussed remaining available capacity and noted the utility board will next week re‑examine the town’s 150,000‑gpd allocation held for economic development.
For sewer construction, the board authorized awarding the Highway 31 gravity‑sewer contract to low bidder Humrick Environmental Construction at about $4.1 million. Barge reviewed the bids and recommended award; staff noted the town budgeted roughly $5 million in the current fiscal year and anticipates additional funding next year. The board authorized the mayor to sign the contract subject to final attorney review.
On transportation policy, staff presented Ordinance 2026‑001 to reduce the posted speed limit on Lewisburg Pike (Highway 431) from 55 to 45 mph following a Birch Engineering speed study; staff said the change would not prevent future developer‑required turn lanes or other improvements. The board passed the ordinance on first reading 4–0; discussion included who would pay for new signs, with staff noting state‑street funds would cover the purchase.
All roll‑call tallies announced during votes listed Harry King, Chris White, Bob Whitmer and Bridal Stover as voting aye; Vice Mayor Alexander was absent for the roll calls recorded on the transcript.
The board handled the items as part of a broader meeting that also included announcements about upcoming work sessions, brief construction notices for pump‑station access and a reminder that Greenway Phase 3 remains an active construction site and is expected to open in early April. The meeting adjourned after the evening’s business.
