Pegram board votes to approve fire-department radio grant; minutes say vote was procedurally improper

The Town of Pegram Board of Mayor and Aldermen recorded a Feb. 18 vote approving a grant for the town fire department to purchase radios, but the board's minutes say the vote was not legal because the item had been added to a special called meeting agenda.

Vice Mayor Bob Sanders moved to discuss the grant; Alderman Michael Paszek seconded. According to the minutes, Alderman Paszek then moved to approve the grant and Alderman Randy Howington seconded. The minutes record votes as Howington—yes, Sanders—yes, Morehead—yes and Paszek—yes. Alderman Miranda Montgomery did not participate in that vote because she arrived late to the meeting. The minutes state the motion "carried." The minutes do not specify the grant amount or funding source.

The minutes also state that the grant item had been added to the agenda at a special called meeting on Feb. 5, 2026 and conclude that "Because it was a Special Called Meeting, items cannot be added to the agenda therefore, the vote was not legal." The minutes do not include a citation to a statute or ordinance for that rule.

The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. and adjourned at 4:05 p.m.; Tina Morehead is recorded as recorder. A motion to adjourn by Alderman Randy Howington, seconded by Alderman Michael Paszek, was recorded as approved by all present. The minutes were posted Feb. 13, 2026 at Finch's Country Store, the Post Office and Town Hall.