Rhea leaders may pass nuisance resolution

DAYTON, Tenn. - Rhea County commissioners will consider adopting a resolution to declare property with rubbish or that emits offensive odors as a nuisance and to permit enforcement against the property owner.

The commissioners plan to discuss the resolution at their April meeting.

Commissioner Jim Reed said at the commission's workshop session this week that the "nuisance committee" recommended the resolution, which states that, if debris collects to the point that it "could encourage the infestation of rats, insects and other harmful animals" it "shall constitute a violation of this section."

It also states that "filthy conditions creating noxious or offensive smells and odors" that encourage vermin breeding on the premises will be a violation.

A separate resolution would outlaw "accumulation of rubbish, trash, debris, etc."

If conditions are not corrected after notice, county personnel may clean up the problem and charge the property owner, the resolution says. Unpaid bills or a $50-per-day fine, if applied, may be assessed as a lien on the property.

In other matters, Commissioner Emmaly Fisher said it is time for the commission to make a commitment to fund construction of a high school.

Commission Chairman Ronnie Raper responded that "the next step is to find out what the school will cost, to get better figures than we have today."

Director of Schools Jerry Levengood said architects and the project manager have been working to that end. He said they are to finalize plans for kitchen equipment by Tuesday and that "after that we will be real close to being able to come up with an estimate."

Commissioner Bill Hollin said he expects the county has until late May or early June to ask Sen. Ken Yager, R-Harriman, and Rep. Jim Cobb, R-Spring City, to introduce legislation to impose a wheel tax - a fee imposed when a car is registered in the county - to help pay for the building project.

Contact Tom Davis at tsdavis@volstate.net.

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