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Cocke County grants permission to explore Safe Haven baby box and approves water agreement for community garden
Summary
Presenters representing Newport Pediatrics asked for permission to pursue discovery for placing a Safe Haven baby box at the county fairgrounds fire department; the Legislative Body granted permission. Separately, the body approved an agreement to run water lines to the Garden of Eden teaching garden and heard updates on local economic development projects.
Presenters Jesse Smith and Shannon Barnes, representing Newport Pediatrics, asked the Cocke County Legislative Body on March 16 for permission to study and pursue installing a Safe Haven baby box at the fairgrounds fire department. The presenters described how the box works: a caregiver may place an infant in a secured compartment that triggers an alarm to the fire department and 911 so the infant can be safely transferred to emergency medical care and then to the Department of Children’s Services.
"One extra component, one extra safety net for a baby, we feel is important," a presenter said, urging the body to allow discovery and site evaluation. The body moved and approved the request to proceed; the chair announced the motion carried.
Also during new business the body heard from representatives of the Garden of Eden community teaching garden and the Cocke County Health Department about a proposed agreement to provide permanent water access. Jennifer Ellison and partners described the garden’s role in providing produce to residents, education for children and seniors, and the grant funding that supported earlier work; the body approved moving forward with the updated agreement to run water lines and continue partnerships.
County partnership and Chamber of Commerce representatives reported other economic development work, including progress on the Hausetop Bike Trail environmental review (about 75% complete) and infrastructure preparation at the Smoky Mountain Innovation Park; officials said those projects have federal and state grant funding and would not impose a local tax burden.
What happens next: staff will work with presenters on site discovery for the Safe Haven baby box and proceed with the water‑line agreement paperwork for the Garden of Eden.
