Pegram board approves $34,000 fire radio grant, adds greenbelt tax to McWright sale and signs short-term SCLL contract

The Town of Pegram Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Feb. 5 authorized Mayor Charles Morehead to sign a $34,000 state grant agreement to help buy new radios for the Pegram Fire Department and approved several other administrative items, including a contract with the South Cheatham Little League (SCLL) and a price adjustment on the McWright property sale.

The board’s unanimous vote authorized acceptance of the non-matching $34,000 grant and gave the mayor authority to execute the contract pending review by the town attorney. Fire Chief Stuart had reported that firefighters were on duty around the clock during the first week after the recent snow/ice storm and that the department needs new radios; the department’s estimate for the radios totals approximately $165,000.

On the McWright property contract, Alderman Miranda Montgomery moved to add the greenbelt rollover tax—described in the minutes as approximately $3,000—to the purchase price at Mrs. McWright’s request; Vice Mayor Bob Sanders seconded. The motion carried; Alderman Michael Paszek abstained from that vote because of a conflict of interest. Mayor Morehead said Mrs. McWright had been cooperative and suggested the town carry the expense.

The board also approved the SCLL 2026 contract with language changes intended to require the board’s approval for any events held outside regularly scheduled games and practices. The town attorney noted the existing contract term allows a 90-day termination window; board members suggested shortening that to a two-week timeframe for notice. SCLL representatives asked about extending the contract through March–November to accommodate fall baseball; the board recommended SCLL return in July if it seeks an extension. The motion to approve the contract with the negotiated changes and to authorize the mayor to sign carried unanimously.

Other business included approval of prior meeting minutes, a $75 refund to Anna Collins for a storm-cancelled Park & Rec rental, and standard procedural motions to open and adjourn the meeting. The McWright price adjustment, the SCLL contract and the grant authorization were recorded in the minutes as formal motions with recorded seconders and recorded votes.

Votes at a glance • Amendment to add fire grant to agenda (SEG 008): Motion by Alderman Michael Paszek; second Randy Howington. Vote: Howington-yes, Sanders-yes, Morehead-yes, Paszek-yes; Montgomery-abstain. Outcome: carried. • Approval of Dec. 1 and Dec. 22, 2025 minutes (SEG 009): Motion by Vice Mayor Bob Sanders; second Miranda Montgomery. Vote: all present in favor. Outcome: carried. • McWright property greenbelt tax added to purchase price (SEG 021): Motion by Miranda Montgomery; second Bob Sanders. Vote: Howington-yes, Sanders-yes, Morehead-yes, Montgomery-yes; Paszek-abstain (conflict). Outcome: carried. • SCLL 2026 contract (SEG 026): Motion by Miranda Montgomery; second Randy Howington. Vote: Howington-yes, Sanders-yes, Morehead-yes, Montgomery-yes, Paszek-yes. Outcome: carried. • Refund to Anna Collins, $75 (SEG 027): Motion by Michael Paszek; second Bob Sanders. Vote: all present in favor. Outcome: carried. • Authorize mayor to sign fire grant contract (SEG 028): Motion by Miranda Montgomery; second Bob Sanders. Vote: all present in favor. Outcome: carried.

What happens next • The mayor is authorized to sign the grant contract for the fire radios pending attorney approval; the town will need to identify funding sources to cover the remaining estimated radio costs (approximately $165,000 total cost minus the $34,000 grant). • SCLL may return to the board in July to request an extension of its contract term for fall baseball. • The Vic Scoggin service recognition was rescheduled for the Feb. 23, 2026 board meeting.