Signal Mountain closing recycling center amid coronavirus pandemic

The Signal Mountain Town Hall complex is shown.
The Signal Mountain Town Hall complex is shown.

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The town of Signal Mountain is taking additional measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus among citizens and staff, including closing its recycling center.

The recycling center, often referred to as the "social hub of the mountain," will close beginning Thursday, March 19 through March 30.

Signal Mountain town councilors discourage citizens from reacting to the announcement of the closure by rushing to drop off items at the recycling center March 18.

"It will be an inconvenience," said Vice Mayor Amy Speek of the closure, adding that people need to be kind as governments make decisions in an effort to protect citizens during unprecedented times. "If we make the wrong decision, we will act and we will make it right."

Garbage service will continue as usual.

Last week, the town made the decision to close many public spaces.

The town is also suspending all in-person meetings of the town council until the state of emergency is lifted, and will hold meetings electronically if approved by the state legislature. All town board and committee meetings, including the planning commission, are also suspended.

The town's water department will continue to bill customers monthly, but bills will be based on the customers' average bill over the past six months to keep the water department employees from having to read meters.

Signal Mountain's water department is also suspending late fee charges and disconnections for nonpayment during the state of emergency, said Town Manager Boyd Veal.

Since the water department is small, the threat is that if all staff members get sick and a water main breaks there will be no one to fix it, he said.

For the next eight weeks, the town will pay all full-time employees their regular wages, regardless of job assignment. Part-time employees will be paid based on the average hours worked over the past six months, regardless of job assignment. No employees will be forced to use sick leave or paid time off.

Contact Emily Crisman at 423-757-6508 or ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.

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