Mayor Dennis Webb said that there was already a measure dealing with the topic on the books, but this would give the town some recourse in dealing with the matter.

According to the Tennessee Code Annotated, it is unlawful to a property owner to allow "the growth of trees, vines, grass, underbrush and/or the accumulation of debris, trash, litter or garbage or any combination of the preceding elements so as to endanger the health, safety and welfare of other citizens or to encourage the infestation of rats or other harmful animals."

If a property owner is found to be in violation, they would be served with notice to remedy the condition with in 10 days, or 20 days if the owner "is a carrier engaged in the transportation of property..." The property owner is entitled to a hearing and can appeal within 10 days

If the property is not cleaned up with in the stated time period, the town would have the right to enter the property and "cause the condition to be remedied or removed" at the owner's cost.

If the amount is over $500 for the clean up, and the property owner fails to pay the costs, they would have a lien filed on the property in favor of Bell Buckle and the cost would be added to the property tax roles.

Webb also said that he is looking into the subject of junked cars, which could be included in a future ordinance.

Several other ordinances were passed on second and final reading, many of them dealing with the recent addition of a law enforcement officer to the small village.

Passed was the final reading of an ordinance that adopts by reference, state traffic offenses and "rule of the road" for the state of Tennessee. It states that only Class C misdemeanors can be enforced and that offenses such as DUI, reckless driving and other matter would have to be dealt with by county law enforcement.

Another ordinance passed on second reading established court costs. The rate was set at $75, the same as court costs in Wartrace. One dollar of the court costs would be forwarded by the court clerk to the state treasurer and does not include a $13.75 litigation tax levied by the state of Tennessee.

Also passed was an ordinance on second and final reading concerning the litigation tax. Webb explained that if charges are dropped in a case or a person pleads guilty, the tax would not be required, but only if the charge was contested.

An ordinance establishing collection charges for past due water bills was also passed on final reading. The ordinance says there is a need to collect payments 90 days old. There is currently $10,000 worth of debt outstanding from Bell Buckle customers.

The town would be authorized to add a collection charge to the unpaid bills. The charge would add an additional 30 percent to the total unpaid bill on accounts over 90 days old, but under one year; and an additional 50 percent on the total unpaid bill for bills over a year old turned over to a collection agency.

A resolution was also passed regarding the cut-off dates of the town's water bills. The bill would be sent out by the last day of the month and the due date would kept as the 10th of the month.

Bell Buckle will be required to send delinquent notices by the 12th of the month in which the payment is due and would be authorized to cut off service to customers who do not pay by the 20th.

The town would also turn over any customer with a delinquent account of 90 days past due to a a collection agency, with the exception of customers who have worked out a written payment plan and stayed current with it. The resolution will be effective July 1.

Webb also reported to the board that a continuance was granted in the civil suit the town has against developer Roger Ritch. Ritch, doing business as American Value Homes, was served on March 7 with a suit demanding a total of $14,000.

The town's board voted to move forward with collecting the unpaid sewer tap fees in November that had resulted from an accounting error. The taps in question are in Oakwood subdivision, built by Ritch. The city had been collecting fees on the water, but not the sewer charges until the error was discovered.

The case will continue on April 29, Webb said.

Citizen B.J. Atkins also addressed the board, thanking the town for its help in treating her grandson following an alleged assault that occurred in December.