The Bell Buckle Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted Tuesday night to approve an agreement with Bedford County Animal Control to pick up dangerous dogs on request.

"Historically, we as a board have been somewhat hesitant to enter into this animal control contract," said Mayor Dennis Webb in the study session prior to the regular board meeting.

One reason, he said, was that the original belief was that the county would charge on a regular basis for the service. Webb told the board that this was not the case, that the county charged $80 per animal on an as-needed basis only.

"We have had two instances in the two years I've been here as mayor," he said.

One of those cases was a vicious dog and the other was a recent pack of strays. Getting the county to respond involved a three-sided conversation and maneuvering that the contract would eliminate, said Webb.

Alderman Frank Reagor protested the need to pay the county for the services, saying that the residents paid county taxes.

"But we are a municipality, and as a municipality, we get treated differently," said Webb.

The mayor said the county would only be called in extreme circumstances, such as a dangerous animal, or a pack of strays that could pose a hazard to residents. But not just anyone can call in a pick-up request.

"Any animal control (request) has to come through Town Hall," said Webb.

This, he said, would allow for judgment calls and reduce the chance that a dog was picked up out of spite or as the result of a neighborhood squabble. There will be a series of questions the designated city employee would look at before notifying the county, such as whether the dog is dangerous, if its owner is known, or if it has tags.

The negative aspect of the service, said Webb, is that the Bedford shelter is not a no-kill shelter. Because of space and size issues, "the animals are put down fairly quickly," he said. "After 72 hours. I know we don't like that, but it would only be in extreme circumstances."

The motion to approve the agreement almost died on the floor for a lack of second because of the euthanasia aspect. New Alderman Annie Rooney finally seconded the motion, saying it went against her conscience.

She suggested adding a note to the water bills reminding citizens there is a leash law in Bell Buckle, as well as posting notices.

Reagor suggested bringing the strays to his county property, saying he would then call the county to tell them to come pick up the dogs; and Rooney suggested people take strays to the humane shelters instead of the county shelter, to give them a better chance of adoption.

"I'll even take them myself," she said.

Other business

* Ronnie Lokey with the water department said a recent inspection of the Covered Bridge water tank revealed problems. The interior gasket has peeled off where sheets come together, allowing it to rust in those areas, he reported. Lokey said the inspector thought the problem was caused by the sealer not flexing with temperature changes.

To prolong the life of the tank and prevent metal loss the sealer will have to be replaced. Lokey said he would confer with the city engineer before asking the board to let bids for the job.

Lokey also said the city found and repaired five leaks in the water system, reducing the water loss for Bell Buckle by 19 percent and saving the town about $2,000. Webb commended Lokey for the work, noting that he has reduced water loss for five consecutive months.

"This is good news, and we like good news," said Webb.

* The Bell Buckle Planning Commission will now meet on the first Thursday of every month. The change was made at the meeting of the Board of Mayor and Alderman on the commission's recommendation.

Rodney Simmons, chairman of the planning commission, said the reason for the change was to give better service. He said prior to the date change, two to three weeks could pass before the board could address issues brought up at the planning commission. Now, with the board meeting on the Tuesday immediately following the planning commission meeting, residents can get more prompt reaction from the city.

* A raise request for a part-time employee died on the floor for the lack of a second. The employee, who was taken from full time to part time last year because of budget constraints, is making $8.25 an hour. Webb requested that be raised to $9.35.

"I think it's more competitive," he said. "The expense would be about $100 to $125 a month."

When asked by Alderman Reagor if the city could afford it, Webb said he thought so. Reagor made the motion to approve the raise, but neither Alderman Jenny Hunt nor Annie Rooney seconded it.

* Hunt told the city that a grant to restore the old caboose for a tourism center was denied by the state.

"I'm very frustrated," she said. "I know when I write a good grant application and I know when I write a great grant application. This was a really good grant application."

She received permission to re-apply for the grant. The cost of the application comes from the Chamber of Commerce coffers, not city funds, she said.

Bell Buckle did receive a $1,000 tourism grant, Hunt said, but its use has not yet been designated.

Hunt said the inaugural "Best of the Butts" barbecue contest was a success, with 21 entries. She anticipated a profit on the event and said she looks forward to including it as an annual fundraiser for the Parks & Rec Department.

* The board approved the Chamber of Commerce event calendar for 2009. The Old Fashioned Haunted Evening was returned to the line-up for 2009, and GeoWoodstock VII, a rally for geocachers from 35 different countries, was added to May. Simmons said anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 visitors could attend the event and the bed & breakfasts in Bell Buckle are already booked. The Shakespeare festival was not included on the event calendar because the dates for next year's performances have not been finalized.

* The board approved two ordinances on their second readings. One was to raise the travel allowance to federal standards and the other was approving the new water/sewer rules and regulations.