Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environmental Boards topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tree board opposes merge with recycling committee; council weighs broader environmental panel and outreach to Walden
Summary
Tree board member Mr. Webster told the Signal Mountain Town Council the board voted unanimously against merging with the recycling committee, saying members prefer to focus on tree stewardship; council discussed expanding ordinances, creating a new environmental advisory body or hosting a citizen-led ridge-top group with nearby Walden and county participation.
Mr. Webster, speaking for the Signal Mountain Tree Board, told the council the board voted at its Aug. 28 meeting against merging with the town’s recycling committee and that members want to continue focusing on trees rather than absorbing wider recycling or wildlife responsibilities. “We had a fairly extensive discussion about it and took a vote and decided that no we don't want to do that at the moment,” Webster said.
The council used the presentation as a springboard for a lengthy discussion about whether to revise the tree-board ordinance or to create a separate environmental advisory body. Vice Mayor Clay Crumbless and other council members said the town struggles to staff all its boards, and that expanding the tree board’s mandate could risk losing volunteers who are primarily interested in trees. “If you roll the tree board into an environmental board, you would lose those members,” one council member warned.
Several council members said they were open to expanding the ordinance so the tree board’s formal duties match work it already performs, rather than forcing an immediate change in membership or workload. Mr. Webster suggested the town could host or support complementary projects — such as wildlife stewardship efforts and public education — without dissolving the tree board.
The council also discussed cross-jurisdiction cooperation with Walden and unincorporated county areas on recycling and environmental stewardship. Webster noted the tree canopy analysis the University of Tennessee Chattanooga produced included the Walden footprint and that some residents from Walden already attend Signal Mountain meetings. “We essentially stepped intentionally, included Walden and included the unincorporated areas because wildlife doesn't know where the boundaries are,” he said.
Mayor Elizabeth Baker said she will reach out to Walden and county leaders to explore interest in a joint or hosted environmental effort and asked staff to return the item to a future agenda for further direction. The council did not take formal action tonight; members said next steps should include public outreach and clarifying whether a new body would be municipal (subject to open-meeting rules) or citizen led.
