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Trenton council OKs easement for school fiber, applies for three grants and hears $200,000 firefighter award
Summary
At its Aug. 13 meeting, the Trenton City Council granted an easement allowing the Trenton Special School District and Verizon to run fiber across Jackson State Community College property, voted to apply for several grants including a $553,000 local park grant, approved monthly expenditures, and heard that the fire department received an AFG grant exceeding $200,000 to cover EMT training.
The Trenton City Council on Aug. 13 voted to grant an easement permitting the Trenton Special School District and Verizon Cable to run fiber across Jackson State Community College property and approved several grant applications and routine expenditures.
The council approved the motion to grant the easement after Alderman Harper moved and Alderwoman Elam seconded the motion; it carried by voice vote. Council members also passed three resolutions to apply for grants: Resolution 2024-R-4 to apply for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthy Places Grant, Resolution 2024-R-5 to apply for the Tennessee Downtown Improvement Grant, and Resolution 2024-R-6 asking the U.S. Postal Service to improve local mail service. All carried by voice vote.
Why it matters: the fiber easement will allow the school district to extend broadband capacity across college property, and the grant applications could provide funding for health, downtown revitalization and local park improvements. Alderwoman Jones announced the city has received a Local Park Grant totaling $553,000, which the council noted during department reports.
The council approved the recorder's report and monthly expenditures after Leigh Reynolds presented them. Alderwoman Jones moved and Alderwoman Elam seconded approval of expenditures showing General Fund disbursements of $84,373.89 and Sanitation expenditures of $54,023.54; the motion carried by voice vote.
Public safety updates: Chief Michael Estes introduced new fire department employees Tiffany Needham and Joe Branum and said Auston Reynolds has also been hired. Estes told the council the department has been awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for more than $200,000 that will cover 95% of the costs to send employees to EMT school.
Mayor Tony Burriss reported a range of local issues and plans: he said Mark Gallo, owner of Hunt Funeral Home, will attempt repairs to a building that he learned was in poor condition; city staff have discussed installing a three-way stop at Lombardy and Lexington; and a charter change to replace the old charter and modify election procedures for alderpersons is under consideration. Burriss also praised city employees for responding together when a traffic light was torn down on the north end of town.
Votes at a glance: the council carried by voice vote the motions to approve the July 9 minutes; to approve expenditures (General Fund $84,373.89; Sanitation $54,023.54); to grant the easement for the school district and Verizon; and to pass Resolutions 2024-R-4, 2024-R-5 and 2024-R-6. The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
The council did not record roll-call tallies in the minutes; each motion is listed as carried by voice vote in the official record.
