By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—As had been discussed previously, the Paris City Commission authorized the issuance of capital outlay notes of $245,000 to purchase seven new patrol vehicles to enable the Paris Police to begin a take-home vehicle policy for the police department.
City Manager Kim Foster noted the vehicles will be financed with a three-year capital outlay note from the Tennessee Municipal League bond fund.
The take-home vehicle policy was discussed initially during the city’s budget process. Foster said the decision on which patrol officers take home vehicles will depend on seniority.
In three years, she said, the department will purchase seven more patrol cars to complete the fleet for the program.
Foster also announced the city has completed its downtown alley drainage project, with the third downtown alley now finished. The alley, which is on the north side of the court square, will be pedestrian-only, with only limited vehicular traffic allowed for special occasions.
Foster also announced the new traffic lights at the corner of Jim Adams and Volunteer Drives should be operational next Thursday.
In other business:
–Commission authorized the city to participate in pool’s Driver Safety Matching Grant program. Each year a matching grant program is offered for a Driver Safety program. The grant is a 50/50 grant with a value of up to $2,000. Fire Department is submitting a proposal this year to purchase a driving simulator on which firefighters would be trained.
–The city deferred two rezoning requests—from Bob Swayne for property on E. Wood St. and from Scott Herman for property on Memorial Drive—to the planning commission.
–The city will be applying for a Transportation Alternative grant to construct sidewalks in the Wilson Street area to connect Rhea School, Henry County High School and the TCAT. It is an 80/20 matching grant and the city is working with TLM on the project.
Photo: Downtown Paris Association Executive Director Kathy Ray tells the city commission about upcoming activities. Photo by Shannon McFarlin
The take-home vehicle policy was discussed initially during the city’s budget process. Foster said the decision on which patrol officers take home vehicles will depend on seniority.
In three years, she said, the department will purchase seven more patrol cars to complete the fleet for the program.
Foster also announced the city has completed its downtown alley drainage project, with the third downtown alley now finished. The alley, which is on the north side of the court square, will be pedestrian-only, with only limited vehicular traffic allowed for special occasions.
Foster also announced the new traffic lights at the corner of Jim Adams and Volunteer Drives should be operational next Thursday.
In other business:
–Commission authorized the city to participate in pool’s Driver Safety Matching Grant program. Each year a matching grant program is offered for a Driver Safety program. The grant is a 50/50 grant with a value of up to $2,000. Fire Department is submitting a proposal this year to purchase a driving simulator on which firefighters would be trained.
–The city deferred two rezoning requests—from Bob Swayne for property on E. Wood St. and from Scott Herman for property on Memorial Drive—to the planning commission.
–The city will be applying for a Transportation Alternative grant to construct sidewalks in the Wilson Street area to connect Rhea School, Henry County High School and the TCAT. It is an 80/20 matching grant and the city is working with TLM on the project.
Photo: Downtown Paris Association Executive Director Kathy Ray tells the city commission about upcoming activities. Photo by Shannon McFarlin