Study Reveals Location Needing A Third Weather Siren In Sparta

A weather siren coverage study in Sparta has shown a hole in range near the exit ramps at Highway 70 on Bockman Way.

City Administrator Brad Hennessee said the next step is finding a location suitable to install a third siren.

“If we could mount a new siren to something that already exists, we’re more likely to be able to do it now,” Hennessee said. “If we have to provide the pole or the tower for it to sit on, then it might be something that we have to wait until next year to do.”

Hennessee said one area that the city wants included in the new coverage is the Sparta Walmart. Hennessee said the store has a high volume of residents, and some use the store as a designated storm shelter.

“One of the questions we had early on is how high does this thing need to be to reach that area,” Hennessee said. “(…) We’ll discuss moving this circle kind of northeast of where it is and hit something, so it’ll stretch the city limits in both directions.”

Sparta’s two existing sirens are located at Church Street and near the city water tower. Hennessee said previously that installing a third would cost about $20,000.