Trion Makes Additions To Water System Plan

By JIMMY ESPY
Staff Writer
Trion will spend approximately $130,000 on three additional water system improvements using leftover contingency money from its ongoing $5.4 million water project.
The water system upgrade, which started in December of 2016, should be completed by the end of this month, according to Maintenance Supervisor Eddy Willingham.
The additional projects approved by a council vote on Thursday include:
* A master meter for the Goldleaf & Silverleaf Apartments on Thomas Road.
* The extension of water lines to the Trion Golf Course area.
* The extension of a 10-inch water line along U.S. 27, north towards the Chattooga River from near the Triangle Shopping Center as far as the available funds allow.
In other items:
* Council asked Maintenance Supervisor Eddy Willingham to come up with proposals and seek bids for changes to the parking area at the Veterans’ Memorial at the track field.
* Council approved a resolution calling for the town to apply for up to $700,000 in federal housing funds to pay for reconstruction and rehabilitation of houses in the 9th and 10th Street areas. Willingham told council the town already has three applications submitted and is looking for more.
* Council tabled discussion of adding a severe weather warning siren because Police Chief Jason Kellett was not at the meeting.
* Council tabled discussion of a proposal to buy a new garbage truck to help with pickup at Mount Vernon Mills. Mayor Larry Stansell, who is most familiar with the proposal, was not at the meeting on Thursday. He is recovering from a recent illness.
* Council voted unanimously not to adopt a police vehicle replacement schedule as suggested by Chief Kellett.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” said Councilwoman Becky McWhorter. The councilwoman said she believes it’s better if council and the police chief deal with automobile replacement “as it comes up.”
* Council tabled action on a proposed lease for a solar farm adjacent to the Trion Industrial Park. Town Attorney Albert Palmour and officials for United Renewable Energy, LLC are in discussions over contract details.
* Council voted unanimously to pay half the cost of purchasing banners to be attached to poles along Allgood Street and Central Avenue. The Trion school systems will pay half the cost.
* Council unanimously approved spending $10,889 on repairs to the 93 percent sulfuric acid tank at the wastewater treatment plant. The town had OK’d buying a new tank at a cost of $63,550 but treatment plant Superintendent Andy Melton said he believed the cheaper repair method would be effective.
* Council agreed unanimously to seek bids for a fence around the town’s splash pad.