The Smithville Board of Mayor and Aldermen met Monday night, and passed an ordinance establishing general standards for the new automated trash pickup service on first read. Second and final reading of the ordinance is scheduled for September.
The board also agreed to hire Megan Moore as the new animal shelter director. Moore stood out as the most qualified out of several candidates being considered and was recommended by the board of directors for the DeKalb Coalition for the Humane Treatment of Animals. A part-time assistant position has yet to be filled.
The city will pay Moore’s salary along with the new assistant’s and provide a vehicle for use by the department.
A graduate of DeKalb County High School, Moore earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture with a concentration in Animal Science in 2013 from Tennessee Tech in Cookeville.
Moore has worked as a veterinary assistant at DeKalb Animal Clinic in Smithville since September, 2014. From May to September, 2014 Moore was a veterinary assistant for PAULS Spay and Neuter Clinic in McMinnville.
The new animal shelter is near completion, and located on a four acre site near the solid waste transfer station, behind Tenneco off of Highway 70 east.
Ordinance 472 puts in place regulations for the pickup of the new 96 gallon trashcans being provided to all city residents, who will receive a full copy of the rules by mail.
Currently, the city has established two routes with another beginning Wednesday, Aug. 16. Since the new trucks are automated, residents will need to ensure the cans are placed properly for pickup.
“Placement has been one issue we noticed,” said City Public Works Director Kevin Robinson, who reported the implementation is being done in phases to work out the kinks. The city is sending an additional person on the truck for these issues currently but once everyone is aware of the new regulations a sticker system will be put in place for non-compliance. The sticker will address the issues to be corrected, and if they haven’t been fixed, collection will not occur the following week.
Some key regulations to keep in mind:
*Only refuse in the container shall be collected. Additional refuse left on the ground will not be picked up.
*The refuse container shall not be filled to overflowing as to prevent the lid from fully closing. Container lids are to be closed for collection. If the overflow of refuse is regular, the city shall notify the resident to obtain an additional container.
*All residents shall place their refuse containers at curbside or at the edge of the street no later than 7:00 a.m. on the day of collection. Containers must be removed from the curb, street, or alleyway no later than 7:00 p.m. on the day of collection.*The container shall be placed in such a manner as not to interfere with overhead power lines or tree branches, parked cars, vehicular traffic, or in any other way that would constitute a public hazard or nuisance. Containers are to be at least four feet from any tree, pole, mailbox, fire hydrant, etc. and at least ten feet away from any cars parked in the street.
