Wartrace moves funds to protect assets in crisis

With the current economic crisis in mind, the town of Wartrace recently took steps to protect its assets. At the Tuesday night meeting, Mayor Don Gallagher asked the board of Mayor and Aldermen to approve in a resolution the recent actions taken by town recorder Laura Gentry, splitting up several hundred thousand dollars and redistributing them between several area banks.

"We did some shifting of money," said Gallagher. "It was when the stock market was crashing down. We just thought it was better being safe than sorry."

The funds were placed in increments no larger than $100,000 -- the maximum insurable by the FDIC, he said.

Gentry told the board some of the money was in regular accounts and some in CDs. She said she was surprised by the wide range of interest rates offered by each institution.

"Those that don't do a lot of mortgages offer better rates," she said.

Train troubles

Gallagher also told the board he has been in contact with CSX about the length of time the main railroad crossing in town is blocked by trains.

"I've written a letter to the railroad and sent copies to Jim Tracy and Curt Cobb," he said. "The railroad did respond."

Gallagher said the town is also collecting a petition to draw attention to the seriousness of the matter. Those wanting to sign it can find copies at the general store and at the town hall. He said the railroad would be willing to meet with representatives of the town.

"I'd like to have the emergency management people there, too," he said, adding that he was concerned about the trains affecting emergency response time. A date has not yet been set but will be as soon as he has gathered enough data for the railroad. Security cameras have been recording the intersection and how many times the trains have stopped and for how long.

"There have been times when it has been blocked easily for 45 minutes," said Gallagher. "There is a considerable amount of traffic across this road."

Fire Chief Jeff Phillips said he has on occasion been stopped by a parked train while on the way to a call.

The intersection is the closest railroad crossing for several miles in both directions.

Making connections

The board also approved an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with Bedford County that would allow the county to apply for a grant in its stead. The grant, for about $400,000, would still have to be matched by the town at a rate of 18 to 20 percent, Gallagher estimated, and the funds would be used to complete a water line down Red Hill Road. He told the board that the town stood a lesser chance of being awarded the Community Block Development grant than the county would, and he would rather save their CBDG grant application for a project they stand a better chance of getting approved.

In other water news, Gallagher said the paperwork to get the connection with the Tullahoma Utilities Board is now down to a matter of "crossing the t's and dotting the i's."

New rides

The police department has a new ride. Members of the board stepped outside the town hall after the meeting adjourned to admire the 2008 Crown Victoria that Officer Lee Groce, acting police chief, will be using.

"It's a sight better," said Groce. The previous vehicle was a 1994 with extremely high mileage, said Gentry.

There were no markings on the vehicle yet and Groce showed the board what he had in mind for the car.

"Warn everybody Wartrace has an unmarked police car," Gallagher joked. "For now."

The board also gave Groce permission to use the car to go to and from work and home, a distance one way of about 18 miles.

The water department also received a new vehicle, a 2008 SUV.