Bell Buckle fire chief Lokey to step down

The chief of Bell Buckle's Volunteer Fire Department has decided to step down from that position, the town council learned Tuesday.

However, Mary Lokey will stay on for an extra month in the spot at the request of Mayor Linda Key, who asked that action on her replacement be deferred until next month.

Lokey recommended that the council appoint her husband Ronnie to the slot, who is already deputy chief over fire suppression and also serves as Bell Buckle's water manager.

"I hope that I can continue to serve as a firefighter and first responder for several more years," she wrote. "Again, it has been an honor to serve our community and hope to continue for many years."

Action was also deferred on a water tap request from Adam Hensley of Bob Parks Realty who had originally asked for 10 to 15 water taps for a piece of property on Highway 82.

However, several changes to the plan had taken place and the council said it needed more information before proceeding. Several residents also expressed concern at the number of water taps granted over the past year.

The council passed the second reading of a required Occupational Safety and Health Administration ordinance and the first reading of a storm water ordinance that has references to the Federal Emergency Management Agency removed.

A separate document dealing with those regulations will be submitted later to prevent any conflict. Also passed was a proposed grading fee schedule.

The council accepted a bid from Curl Construction for $29,750 to perform work to prevent erosion at the Covered Bridge water tank and to acquire a vehicle for the water department.

The council was told that a sewer system evaluation study is underway, which is part of the state mandated upgrades. Last month, the council approved a bid from DWC Technologies LLC for the work at a cost of $71,500; considerably less than originally estimated.

Water manager Lokey also reported Tuesday that there were eight bypasses in the sewer system in April due to over 6 inches of rain.

Also passed were a first reading of the anticipated budget for 2006-07 and first reading of this year's amended budget. Total revenue and anticipated expenditures for next year is expected to be $94,671.76.

Bell Buckle's Avian Flu Preparedness Committee received $100 from the town to distribute a survey and preparedness check list. It notes that towns, businesses and states have been advised by the Bush Administration to prepare for an epidemic themselves and not rely on a federal rescue.

"A vaccine would take at least six months to prepare. Each community should expect the pandemic to cause six to eight weeks of active infection," the survey states.