News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Monterey Aldermen approved a $23,800 proposal to improve the Black Bottom Sports Fields concession stand on Monday.
The improvements will consist of a metal roof replacement and a remodeling of the inside of the building including new electrical breakers, 36-inch commercial metal doors, and more accessible toilets and sinks. Mayor Alex Garcia said the concession stand desperately needs the work.
“Those bathrooms, they are terrible,” Garcia said. “The bathroom doors I have to turn sideways to get in it. It is like a 28-inch door. It’s just not in good condition, the roof is about to fall off.”
The aldermen will be pulling $7,800 out of the Standing Stone Park Fund and $16,000 from the health care fund to pay for the improvements. Garcia said Putnam County Parks and Recreation will provide labor for the construction of the improvements free of charge.
“I think this an opportunity that we go ahead and do this and get this done,” Garcia said. “And then by the time soccer comes around next year and the field is ready to go, the concessions will be ready to go and everything is done.”
Consulting Engineer Jerry Warren said the soccer field is nearing completion. Warren said the contractor has made really good progress on the field and is currently putting a fence in place. However, the contractor did run into an issue with moving a power pole that needed to be moved due to the implementation of the fence.
“What we found out when we tried to relocate it is that the power has basically been eaten up by woodpeckers,” Warren said. “Apparently it’s a woodpecker haven there on that side.”
Warren said the town has had discussions with Volunteer Electric Cooperative about getting a new pole and then working with the contractor to relocate the pole and move the wiring for the pole. Warren said the project is still within budget.
“As far as budget we are dead on,” Warren said. “We had an additional item for some rock removal that fortunately we did not have to use and quite frankly we stretched that rock removal just about as far as we can stretch it.”
Warren then said the paving has been done and that once the fencing is complete the next step would be to plant seeding for the field and that this time is the right time of year to get the grass to grow.
Aldermen also approved the purchase of a temporary outfield fence for a softball field. Garcia said the fence will allow the field to be a multi-use field. The fence was roughly around $2,000 including tax.
“This quote came from Joe Stevens who is one of Monterey’s new partners,” Garcia said. “And so it’s about half the price that we got elsewhere.”
Garcia said the soccer field at the Black Bottom Sports Field Complex and the concession stand will benefit both schools and allow them to have soccer teams.
In other Business, the aldermen approved to adoption of the 2018 building codes and International Energy Conservation Code. Interim Mayor Mark Farley said this was to stay up to date with building codes with the county.
Aldermen also approved engineering contract renewals with James C. Hailey & Company and Warren & Tuggle Civil Engineering, PLLC.
Aldermen approved the sale of an alleyway located behind 123 Commercial Avenue to the new restaurant owner in front of the alleyway. The alleyway was sold for $1,213.
Monterey Town Attorney Brad Wood Jr. has resigned as the town’s attorney.
Wood addressed in a letter to the aldermen regarding the Lewis Avenue Subdivision. The letter recommended the town send a cease and desist order to CNE Design the company constructing the subdivision to address sewer line issues. No action was taken by the aldermen.
