The Town of Signal Mountain

Departments

Administration:

Honna Rogers, Town Manager

hrogers@signalmountaintn.gov

Honna Rogers received a Bachelors Degree in History from Piedmont College and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She has served as Town Manager since 2008 and resides in the Town with her husband Joshua.

Ms. Rogers has been employed as Assistant to the City Administrator in the City of Sevierville, TN, and Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), a division of the University of Tennessee Institute of Public Service. As a Post Graduate Management Intern, she apprenticed in the Cities of Athens, Cleveland, East Ridge, Signal Mountain, and for the Athens Utility Board and the Southeast Tennessee Development District.

Ms. Rogers works directly under the Town Council and is the chief administrative officer for the Town. She is responsible for presenting the annual Town budget, managing the departments, and overseeing the supervision of all employees. She works closely with staff to improve efficiency, cost effectiveness, and to ensure that the business and services of the Town operate smoothly to the benefit of its citizens. In addition, she represents the Town on the Board of the Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority and is the staff representative for the Tennessee Regional Transportation Planning Organization.

Mr. Rogers is the primary liaison between the Town and its citizens, and she encourages them to contact her to answer their questions and to hear their suggestions or ideas for improvements in the Town.

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Finance Department

Mark Johnson, Finance Director/Recorder

mjohnson@signalmountaintn.gov

The Financial Administration Director provides oversight for the development of the fiscal year budget as well as manages and oversees the staff responsible for collecting taxes, water service fees, court fees, and other revenues. The staff also provides payment for Town expenditures and payroll as well as produces, maintains, and reviews the Town’s financial records.

The Recorder is responsible for keeping and maintaining the minutes of public meetings and for safekeeping other important documentation such as contracts, invoices, and general correspondence.

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Building Inspection/Stormwater Management

Chuck Martin, Building Official

cmartin@signalmountaintn.gov

Building Inspection

The Building Official is responsible for approving and permitting all new residential and commercial construction as well as the remodeling of existing buildings. He is also responsible for approving and permitting signage, fences, storage buildings, decks, and swimming pools. The Town has adopted the 2009 International Codes and the 2008 National Electric Code. The Building Official is responsible for ensuring that building and building improvements in the town meet or exceed the standards set forth in the application code.

Building Permit Package

• Building Permit Package
  
• Electrical Permit Worksheet
• Mechanical Permit Worksheet
• Plumbing Permit Worksheet
• Commercial Construction
• Design Review Committee Application

Stormwater Management

The Town of Signal Mountain is required to comply with the requirements of Phase II of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting process under the Clean Water Act of 1972 to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s water. Therefore, the Town has appointed a Stormwater Manager and created a Stormwater Utility. The Utility generates revenues to fund stormwater related improvements, to implement Best Management Practices to ensure that stormwater discharges meet applicable water quality standards and reduce pollutants from entering the stormwater system.

Best Stormwater Management Practices

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Signal Mountain Fire Department

Fire Chief John Vlasis

jvlasis@signalmountaintn.gov

• Emergency: Call 911
• Non-Emergency Calls for Service/Dispatch: 886-2122
• Business Calls: 886-7075

Command Staff

• Kevin Nichols Captain/Training Officer
• Claude Clemmons, Lieutenant
• Gannon Spangler, Lieutenant

The Signal Mountain Fire Department strives to protect Town citizens and their property from emergencies and disasters through fire suppression, emergency medial services, hazardous materials mitigation, fire prevention and public education programs. The Department provides twenty-four hour fire and rescue services to the Town, and upon request, also provides emergency services to areas outside the Town through mutual aid.

There are 17 full-time personnel in the Fire Department including the Fire Chief, the Captain/Training Officer, 3 Lieutenants, 6 Engineers, 6 Firefighters and 6 part-time Firefighters.

The Fire Department has achieved a Class “5” ISO rating.

Medical First Responders

The Fire Department has personnel that are trained in emergency medical procedures. Their licensures include First Responders, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) and Paramedics. The Department responds to medical emergencies as a first responder agency. Medical personnel treat and stabilize patients prior to the arrival of the ambulance and assist the crew as necessary. Fire Department medical personnel work under the authority of Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services and its medical director.

Ambulance and Emergency Rescue

Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services’ ambulance “Medic 8” is located in the Town’s Fire Department complex. Ambulance service is available 24 hours a day and is staffed by licensed paramedics, who participate in the county-wide emergency service system by providing pre-hospital care, cardiac monitoring, drug therapy or trauma care.

Fire Prevention Program

The Fire Department conducts fire prevention programs for elementary and secondary school students as well as adult public education classes on fire prevention. The Department contributes to many community events and takes every opportunity to discuss fire prevention and give away smoke detectors and other reminders to promote fire safety.

The Department inspects and flushes fire hydrants twice a year to insure they are in good working order.

Private Fire Alarm Systems

The Department welcomes the use of private alarm systems, but requests homeowners to register the system with the Fire Department and leave keys and alarm codes with several responsible and available neighbors in case of a system malfunction. It also asks that citizens keep their contacts and code information current.

Burn Permits

To receive an application for a burn permit, please contact the Air Pollution Control Bureau at 423-643-5970. From May 1st through September 30th, NO BURNING is allowed in Hamilton County.

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Signal Mountain Police Department

Police Chief Boyd Veal

bveal@signalmountaintn.gov

• Emergency Calls: 911
• Non-Emergency Calls for Service/ Dispatch: 886-2123
• Business Calls: 886-2124 FAX: 886-2137

Command Staff: Chief Boyd Veal

• Captain Scott Ogrodowczyk, Admin. Captain/Training Officer
• Lieutenant Ken Coulter, Patrol Supervisor
• Lieutenant William Lewis, Patrol Supervisor
• Lieutenant Daniel Fletcher, Patrol Supervisor

The Police Department strives to provide services that directly and positively impact the safety, security and quality of life of all citizens. It addresses a wide range of enforcement and service issues including active neighborhood patrol, traffic enforcement, drug detection and enforcement, investigations, call response, community services, and youth and community relations. The Department is comprised of fifteen full-time officers, and one civilian clerk.

Training

All full-time officers are required to graduate from a P.O.S.T. (Peace Officers Standards and Training) approved Basic Police Academy. In addition to this 10-week course of training, new hires must complete eight weeks of field training with a certified Field Training Officer before working solo. Subsequent to graduation and certification, officers must attend 40 hours of P.O.S.T. approved in-service training annually.

Each year, the department conducts a training needs assessment and officers are encouraged to attend specialized and advanced training. Many members of the Department hold instructor certifications in areas such as, firearms, DUI enforcement, defensive tactics, domestic violence, emergency vehicle operations, child sexual abuse investigations and tactical operations.

Drug Detection Team

The Department maintains a drug detection team consisting of one handler and one dog (K-9). Chester, the Department’s black lab, was obtained through a Labrador retriever rescue organization after being abandoned by his previous owner. Chester is certified by the National Narcotics Detector Dog Association and is capable of detecting several illegal and illicit drugs. He has become a valuable member of the Department.

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Youth and Community Relations

The Police Department has dedicated an officer to focus primarily on the youth of the community. This officer is assigned as the School Resource Officer for elementary and middle schools, where he teaches D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), Internet safety, and other youth oriented classes. He has also teaches classes on prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse at the high school. Other members of the Department have assisted by teaching classes on underage drinking and driver safety.

During the summer, the Youth and Community relations’ officer focuses on Town facilities such as the swimming pool, ball fields and playgrounds. He also serves as a liaison with the community for special events and activities.

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Public Works Department

Loretta Hopper, Director of Public Works

lhopper@signalmountaintn.gov

The Director of Public Works supervises all Public Works employees and oversees facilities and equipment. In addition, the Director is responsible for the operation and maintenance of streets and the operation of services for residents provided by the Town such as garbage pickup, brush pickup, the landfill, the recycling center, and the maintenance facility.

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Garbage and Trash Service

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General Information

Curbside garbage service is funded by property taxes and is available without a monthly fee. Pickup occurs Monday through Thursday beginning at 7:30am. Garbage will be accepted only in carts furnished by the Town. Each cart contains a unique serial number and only one is assigned to each address. If a second cart is desired, one may be leased for a one-time non-refundable fee of $60. There is a Town maximum of two carts per residence.

Garbage Route Map & Schedule (PDF)

Requirements for Curbside Collection:

• Place garbage carts at the curb by 7:30am.
• Place carts at least 3 feet from trees, mailboxes, park cars, utility lines and other garbage carts.
• The front of the cart must face the pavement.
• Do not overfill garbage carts.
• Overfilled carts will not be picked up.
• Loose garbage or trash will not be collected.

Unacceptable items for curbside collection:

• Rock, dirt, hot ashes or “sharpies” are not accepted anywhere.
• Flammable materials, poisons, paint, used oil, chemicals, and other hazardous wastes are accepted at the Recycle Center.
• Tires, building materials, carpet, Freon-containing appliances are accepted at the Transfer Station for a fee.
• Latex Paint
  

Backdoor Garbage Service:

Backdoor garbage service is available to Town residents that qualify. Persons age 70 or disabled are eligible for backdoor service. All members of the household must meet one or both criteria.

Items Picked Up

Only household garbage will be collected at the backdoor. Household garbage includes only kitchen and wastebasket contents normally accumulated within the house. All other trash, such as large accumulations of newspapers, magazines, old clothes, baby diapers, cat litter, cardboard boxes too large to fit in a wastebasket, etc., must be placed curbside for pickup, taken to the Recycle Center, or the transfer station.

Requirements

• Garbage must be out by 7:30 a.m.
• Garbage and trash must be in plastic bags. Bags should weigh no more than 20 lbs.
• Sanitation workers are prohibited from entering garages, enclosed areas, and fenced-in yards.
  
  

Acceptable Containers

Backdoor service is restricted to four (4) large bags per residence per week with a combined weight of 75 pounds. A small dump truck may use your driveway.

 

Holidays and Inclement Weather:

When a holiday occurs on a scheduled garbage collection day, the Town will reschedule collection during the week. Holiday schedules will be posted in local newspapers and on the Town website. Garbage service may be temporarily suspended when weather conditions create slippery surfaces that are unsafe for personnel or equipment operations. Call 886-6367 for the make-up schedule.

“First Friday” Bulky-Item Collection:

• Call 886-2177 to request special collections on the “First Friday” of each month by the preceding Monday.
• Free pickup for bulky items such as stoves, furniture, water heaters, mattresses, box springs, moving boxes, etc.
• Fee-based pickup for carpet, refrigerators, air-conditioners and other freon-containing appliances.
• Building materials and small items will not be collected.

Special Fee-based Bulky Collections:

• Call 886-2177 to schedule a special pickup for bulky items such as stoves, furniture, water heaters, moving boxes, mattresses, box springs, etc., for a fee paid in advance at the Town Hall.
• Items must be at the curb by 7:30am.
  Fees:
  • General, $20 per load.
  • Carpet, $45 minimum per truck load.
  • Freon-containing appliances, $45 each.

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Brush, Trimmings and Leaf Collection

General Information

Year round collections of yard wastes including brush, tree trimmings, grass clippings and leaves are funded by property taxes. Brush trucks run a continuous route year-round. Leaf collections begin in the fall. For more information, contact the Town Hall at 886-2177.

Brush Collection:

• Brush trucks run a continuous route year round which usually takes two to four weeks to complete, depending on quantity. There are no special pickups or deviations from the route.

• Brush must be cut into approximately 8-foot lengths, no larger than 10-inch diameter, and be placed on or at the curb. These size restrictions also apply to brush delivered to the Transfer Station by residents. Brush not conforming to these size restrictions will not be picked up. Stumps are not acceptable and cannot be taken at the Transfer Station. Raked leaves must be separate from brush.

• Twigs, trimmings and grass must be in a Town furnished cart.

• No brush or tree trimmings will be picked up if work is done by a contractor. A contractor must dispose of any brush he cuts; however he may deliver and dispose of brush at the Transfer Station for a fee.

• Do not place brush near mailbox, shrubbery, low tree limbs, or power lines.

• Contractors bringing brush in will be charged a fee of: $15 per pickup truck, $25 per trailer up to 12 feet, $40 per large truck.

• Brush may be burned by residents with prior approval by the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Air Pollution Bureau. Call 867-4321 for details and requirements.
  Leaf Collection:

 

Leaf Pick-up

The Town of Signal Mountain offers seasonal curbside leaf collection for residential properties located within the Town limits. The Town is divided into four (4) collection areas. The four (4) areas are shown on the Leaf Pick-up Map. Each area will be picked up in numerical order, and there will be several rounds of leaf collection. There will be signs posted at each area to let you know when your area will be picked up. Last round signs will also be posted for your area at the end of the season. Please place loose leaves at the curbside before your area is scheduled for the next pick-up in order to make sure they are not missed.

 

Leaf Placement

Loose leaves should be placed at the curb in a pile, separate from brush and other yard waste. All leaves must be away from utility poles, mailboxes, or other structures, and must not block drainage ditches or curbside drainage. For safety reasons, leaves must not hinder traffic nor block travel lanes.

 

General Information

Fall leaf collection season begins approximately late October and usually lasts until mid-January.

• Watch for signs that read, “Leaf Pickup in this Area Next.”
• There will be no deviations from the route.
• One-round of spring leaf collection will occur at the ends of March and April.
• Before and after leaf season, leaves will be collected at the curb in garbage carts.
• A special loose leaf pickup may be scheduled after the last round for a $20 fee to be paid at Town Hall. Leaves will be collected within two weeks of the request.
• Loose leaves must be kept separate from brush and other wood waste.
• Pile leaves at the edge of the yard away from utility poles, mailboxes or other structures.
• Leaves may not block drainage ditches or curbside drainage catch basins.
• Placing leaves in the street violates Stormwater Regulations.
• Homeowners are responsible for the actions of their contractors.

 

Leaf Pick-up Information

• Leaf Pickup Requirements
• Leaf Pickup Map

 

Grass Clippings

• Grass clippings placed at the curb must be in a Town cart.
• Loose grass clippings left in ditch flow lines or on street pavement violate Stormwater Regulations.
• Residents are encouraged to leave lawn clippings on lawns so that the nutrients in the clippings are recycled as fertilizer.
• Go to www.safelawns.org for more information on environmentally friendly lawn care.
• Homeowners are responsible for the actions of their contractors.

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Transfer Station

• Residents & Non-Residents Must Have Identification
• Non-Residents must display a card (available at Town Hall) showing payment of a yearly fee.

Location
714 Mississippi Avenue
Signal Mountain, TN 37377
886-6367

Hours
Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Sunday and Holidays, Closed

 

General Information

• The transfer station will allow the dumping of a reasonable amount of garbage, brush, scrap metal, leaves or other items normally accepted by the Town.
• A public works attendant in the building located at the Transfer Station will accept antifreeze and oil.
• Non-compactable items such as roofing, construction and building materials will be accepted for a fee.
• Paint cans and other household hazardous waste (drain cleaners, oven cleaners, herbicides, insecticides, etc.) are accepted at the Recycle Center.
• Glass containers, plastic, paper, corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, rinsed steel (tin) cans, etc., should be taken to the Recycle Center.

 

For a fee, residents or non-residents may dump the following:

• Minimum charges for sheetrock, roofing, lumber, carpeting, brick, block, concrete and other building materials.
  • $25.00 pickup truck or (max. 8 foot) trailer load.
  • $4-6.00 car trunk load.
  • $4-20.00 station wagon/SUV load.
  • $40.00 contractor (working for resident).
• Tires (per tire)
  • $2.00 car or pickup size.
  • $7.50 large truck size.
• Brush for Contractors
  • $15 per pickup truck.
  • $25 per trailer up to 12-feet.
  • $40 per large truck.

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Recycle Center

The Town actively promotes environmentally sound practices and encourages everyone to reuse and recycle. Every pound of material that is not recycled takes up room at the landfill. Signal Mountain’s Recycling Center is open to all mountain residents without charge.

Location

Ridgeway Avenue, just north of the Town Hall complex on the west side of the highway.

Hours
Tuesday, 9am–6pm
Wednesday, 11am–6pm
Thursday, 11am–6pm
Friday, 11am–6pm
Saturday, 8am–6pm

Acceptable and Unacceptable Items:

• Listing of Acceptable and Unacceptable Items

Other Services at Recycle:

• Free mulch
• Swap Board
• Mulch Loading

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Street Department

The Street Department maintains street pavement, except for the State Highway. Maintenance includes patching, resurfacing and reconstruction.

General Duties:

• Street cleaning.
• Mowing in unimproved Town rights-of-way.
• Trimming trees and shrubs on Town rights-of-way that block the line-of-site at intersections or obscure traffic regulations signs.
• Annual removal of dead trees in Town rights-of-way.

Residential Duties:

• Mowing rights-of-way along front (and side if corner lot) of residence.
• Trimming live trees hanging over Town rights-of-way to 14 feet over streets and to 8 feet over sidewalks.
• Trimming trees or shrubs growing on private property that obscure line-of-sight for traffic on any public street or alley.
• Maintain sidewalks regardless of rights-of-way as per Town ordinance.

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Water Utility Department

William Sanders, Water Utilities Director

Signal Mountain owns and operates its own water system as a self-sustaining utility. No property tax funds support the Water Fund. The Water Department buys treated water from the Tennessee-American Water Company, pumps the water up the mountain to elevated storage tanks, and serves Town customers as well as a small number of customers located in the Lower Brow area.

Business Office
Town Hall
1111 Ridgeway Avenue
(423) 886-2177

Days and Hours
Monday-Friday
8am-4:30pm

Water Bills

The Town reads meters and bills on a quarterly basis. The current (2009) minimum quarterly water bill is $57.57. The current minimum water and sewer bill is $109.35 (includes lateral fee). Customers have the options of paying water bills by automatic bank draft, by mail or at a drive-by drop box located in the Town Hall parking lot.

Water Bill Adjustments

The Town offers adjustments to water bills for leaks in non-PVC buried service lines in yards. Customers with verifiable proof (plumber receipts for payment for repair of leaks in buried service lines) can request an adjustment by writing to the Town Manager at the Town Hall. No PVC lines will receive a water adjustment in that they are in violation of the Town’s plumbing codes. For more information call 886-2177.

Water Pressure Problems

Customers with low- or high-pressure problems, noisy pipes or no water at all should call 886-2177 during business hours. In an after-hours emergency, call 886-2123 and a water department employee will be called to respond.

Water Line Replacement Procedures

Homeowner must procure a building permit from the Town Hall before replacing the water service line from the water meter set to the house. The new water line to be installed must be either type L or K soft copper tubing. Before it is covered with dirt, the Building Official or the Director of the Water Department must inspect the line. Call 886-2177 to set up an inspection. After the inspection, the new line must be buried at least 18 to 24 inches below the surface of the ground.

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Notice to Installers and Testers of Backflow Preventers

The Director of the Water Utility Department or his designated representative shall require the use of an approved protective device on a service line serving any premises to assure that contamination that originates in such premises is contained therein. Pressure devices shall be reduced pressure zone type backflow preventer approved by the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment (TDHE) as to manufacture, model, and size.

The Director of the Water Utility Department prior to installation shall approve the method of the installation of backflow protective devices and shall comply with the criteria set forth by TDHE. After the reduced pressure device is installed, an initial test must be performed by a state certified backflow tester. In both new installations and blackflow replacements, the device must be installed above ground as close to the meter set as possible. Installation shall be at the expense of the owner or occupant of the premises. An annual test of the backflow protective device is required each year thereafter, a copy of which must be submitted to the Town Water Clerk at 1111 Ridgeway Avenue, Signal Mountain, TN 37377.

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Other Utilities

Electrical Service
EPB
(423) 648-1372

Telephone Service
AT&T
(800) 288-202

Gas Service
Chattanooga Gas
(866) 643-4170

Cable Television
Comcast Cable
(800) 266-2278

Sewer
Hamilton County WWTA

Hamilton County Water & Wastewater Treatment Authority

Days & Hours	Contacts	Telephone
In the unlikely event that there is no response, contact Tom Bowen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at : (423) 315-3832
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.	WWTA Office Staff	(423) 209-7842
Monday - Friday 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m.	Inspector	(423) 209-6408
Friday 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m.	Inspector	(423) 209-6408