By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

Rutledge Mayor Spencer Knight and council members Bill Spann and Chad Cook discussed a business license request, Christmas decorations, and a Planning Commission appointment before hearing updates on the park and the city’s wastewater permit renewal.

City Clerk Debbie Rutherford said that Vivint, Inc., a security system company out of Provo, Utah, contacted her requesting a business license.

She said she told them that they did not have to have a business license from Rutledge, only from the city in which their business is located. They kept calling and were put in contact with Morgan County Planning and Zoning Director Chuck Jarrell and told they would need a permit to install the alarm systems.

The company called the city again and over-nighted information to them. Knight recommended they table the request and council voted to do so.

Park construction is “looking good,” according to Knight. The city received a $62,400 Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant that expires at the end of 2012. When complete the park will also have basketball and tennis courts, a softball field, a skate park, trails and a gravel parking lot.

The skate park has been completed while the softball field has been worked on and seeded. The basketball courts should be done by Dec. 31 if not sooner. Once those courts are done the city will be putting out to bid the tennis court installation for two courts with no lights. Because the tennis courts were not part of the grant, they can be completed after Dec. 31 if necessary.

Rutherford said the city is renewing its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to treat wastewater and that there is a new requirement they must adhere to when treating wastewater. They currently chlorinate the water but they will have to dechlorinate the water going into the stream.

The city will host two events later this month. The annual Spooky Fall Fest will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, in the city park. There will be a hayride around town as well as a Halloween Costume Contest for eight age groups from infants through adults with 24 cash prices awarded. Trunk or Treat will follow, with a prize awarded for the spookiest trunk. Proceeds benefit the Rutledge Recreation Department.

Morgan County Elementary School will hold its Trick or Trot road race/walk at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 27. The following streets will be closed and inaccessible to vehicle traffic from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.: East Main Street, Fairplay, West Dixie Highway and Old Mill Road. Music will begin at 7 a.m. Dog owners are asked to restrain their pets during this event.
As to the city’s Christmas decorations, a request was made to leave decorations up through Jan. 6. The city council has voted on this issue previously and determined that decorations will come down on Dec. 31, weather permitting.
Jonathan Tonge currently serves as the Rutledge representative to the Planning Commission. Knight said Tonge was willing to serve again. Council voted their approval.

Printed in the October 18, 2012 edition