NICOLE TRACY
Reporter
NASHVILLE – A decision to move forward on purchasing
new tornado sirens for the City of Nashville was reached
Tuesday night.
Fire Chief Jerry Harwell presented the city council with
a report on his suggestions for the new system, including
moving the locations of the sirens to better cover the city
in the event of a warning. Sirens are currently located in
the Toland Heights section of Nashville, Main Street, and
off Sipes Street.
Harwell proposed moving the siren located in Toland
Heights to Animal Control, to better help cover Walmart
and surrounding areas. The siren on Main Street would be
moved to the Fire Department Building, to again help ensure
better coverage.
The siren off of Sipes Street would not change locations,
because it covers the schools well, and Harwell did not think
it would be worth it to chance either Nashville Primary or
Nashville Junior High not being able to hear a siren if needed.
Harwell also submitted to the council a bid for sirens
from a company in Oklahoma, which he felt would be the
best option for the city of Nashville. The total cost would
be $46,750 to just be delivered, installation not included, or
$55,350 for the entire system to be installed.
Council member Andy
Anderson asked Harwell
about a stronger siren option
mentioned on the bid.
Harwell stated that bigger is
always better when it comes
to tornado sirens. The model
in question covers an area
three times the size of the
smaller sirens. Anderson
made a motion to order the
new tornado system with the
bigger sirens, complete with
installation. The motion was
seconded, and after a brief
discussion, it was passed.
Jimmy Dale presented the
council with the financial report
for October. He stated
that the month looked good
overall. Sales taxes were up
for the city 8.7 percent over
last year, and county sales
taxes were also up 2 percent
over last year’s totals.
A motion was made to
give City Clerk Mary Woodruff
a raise based on her
willingness to pick up extra
job duties. Council member
Monica Clark raised questions
about giving the raise
based off of duties not assigned
by the official job
description. After a brief
discussion, the motion was
passed 10-1. Clark voted ‘no.’
All members of the council
were present at the meeting
except for council members
Vivian Wright and Mike
Milum.