Wartrace firefighters earn alderman's praise

Quick response from Wartrace's Volunteer Fire Department garnered praise from one of the town's aldermen at the board meeting last week.

"I ran up on a fire about three weeks ago," said Scott Claxton. "We called and they were there in 7 or 8 minutes and they worked their butts off."

Claxton said the crew, with the help of volunteer firefighters from Bell Buckle who were also quickly on the scene, contained the blaze to the back part of the building that used to house the Blockade Runner.

The firefighters did a good job, said Claxton, "but they need some help."

There are only about seven or eight active volunteer firefighters in the Wartrace department right now, said one member of the squad. "We're looking for new recruits."

"The fire department will give them good training," said Mayor Don Gallagher. "We're fortunate that we've got the fire academy so close for additional training."

Bids awarded

Gallagher told the board that three bids were awarded recently at a special called meeting on April 7. Robert's Lawn Service was awarded the mowing bid even though it was second in cost. According to the minutes of that meeting, "all members were in agreement that Robert's Lawn Service had done a superb job in the past."

Jason Smith, with the lowest bid of $600 a month, was awarded the garbage pick up, and only one bid was submitted for the weekly cleaning of the community center. It was awarded to J's Professional Cleaning Service with a bid of $50 a week plus the cost of supplies.

Other business

Alderwoman Jean Gallagher gave an update on the parks and recreation department's recent activities. The annual Spring Supper brought in $584, with a net of $389.25.

"Other donations may be coming in," she said.

Wartrace held its annual Park Day Saturday, April 4, with members of Leadership Bedford, Cascade honor students, local business owner Joe Pagello and town employees Alden Rowland and John Thompson joining members of the parks and rec board and the board of mayor and aldermen in working in the town park.

"We had a very productive day," said the alderwoman. "We mulched 40 new trees and 10 old trees. The gator bags were attached to the trees and filled with water."

Gator bags are an irrigation system that releases water to the trees in measured amounts over a period of time.

Gravel in the big playground was also leveled.