TRACY HARRIS
Staff Writer
On Thursday Sept. 7 Cornersville’s Board of Mayor & Alderman meeting drew quite the crowd during the first reading of Ordinance 23-296 Livestock in Town Limits/Nuisance.
The original three-page Ordinance had several sections to: prohibit animals running at large, restrict keeping animals near residences or businesses (not within 1,000 feet), ensure cleanliness and safety, prohibit nuisances, allow for inspections, and enforce fines for violations/penalties.
Parliamentary Procedure does not apply to citizen comments according to City Attorney Billy Osterman. As a result, there were times when people spoke out of order and over each other. Someone asked why there were no agendas printed to help guide the meeting’s format. Ostermann said the agenda is posted on the door and website.
Citizens were not clear on the ordinance and exactly what it would mean for their property. Resident Taylor Pickett said, “This to my understanding started with two neighbors not seeing eye to eye. Now we who reside in the city are involved with possible additional fees. I do respectfully disagree with a city of people being punished over what started as a civil complaint and I miss neighbors helping each other.”
Steve Prosser noted the $25 fee associated with this proposal and questioned, “I don’t know if that’s per house or per animal and what’s that money go to?” Prosser added, “It’s like a lot of stuff, once it gets started, next year it’ll be $100. We don’t need any more charges down here. If they’re being taken care of and not causing any problems, the whole city shouldn’t be punished for one incidence.”
Chris Smith stood after a few citizens spoke out and said, “That’d be my pig that they’re complaining about, a little potbelly pig. I’m fine with paying the $25. They said once you fill that out and sign it, it gives them permission to access your property to see what animals are there. I’m not going to give permission for my 38 acres on Ostella Rd. If I gave someone permission to go back there, what would prevent them from opening my gate and leaving it open, maybe letting animals out. My pig on Terry Ln. is clean and I welcome anybody to come and inspect it. There’s no mud, lots of grass, just one little pig.”
Following Smith’s statement, the City Attorney elaborated on the Ordinance. Ostermann explained, “It’s not going to be $25 per animal. The permit fee is paid for the processing of the permit.” The ordinance is set up to ensure that animals are taken care of, nothing more. It would not ban any specific animals. Similar city ordinances were considered when creating this one. Ostermann added, “This ordinance is to address and prevent nuisances. Nothing more.”
After lengthy discussion, Alderman Mary Johnson made a motion to remove the section that would restrict keeping animals near residences or businesses (not within 1,000 feet), the permit and the $25 fee that attached to the permit. Mayor John Luna explained that he is on board with Johnson’s amendment. Luna said, “It’s fine if you have a nuisance. If you’ve got a pen next to you and there’s a smell, or if you see something. Come in here, file a complaint, put your name down, that way there’s documentation.”Ostermann clarified, “Does your motion include that a citizen written complaint would trigger an investigation?” Johnson replied, “Yep. My way of thinking if you can’t put your name behind it, you don’t have a complaint.” The crowd erupted in applause after Johnson’s statement.
For the time being, if you have a complaint regarding livestock, you can file a complaint with the city but you must sign your name when doing so. There will also be no charge or permit for livestock within the city limits of Cornersville. The second reading will take place Oct. 5 at 6 p.m.
New business included an update on Halloween in the Park was given by Trina Rios. The event will be Oct. 28 from 5-9 p.m. and features food vendors, games, hayrides, trick or treating and all things Halloween.The event committee hopes to have four trailers this year for the hayride, so they still need two additional trucks/trailers to sign up. Volunteers are needed to help with the event also. High school seniors can use volunteer hours for TN Promise.
Citizen of the Year nominations are due by Nov. 2. You can stop in Town Hall to nominate someone or go to the contact us portion on their website at www.cornersvilletn.org.
