LOCAL NEWS | The Metro Council will meet in a regular session meeting on Monday, September 21 at 6:30 p.m. Prior to the regular meeting, there will be two public hearings. At 6:20 p.m., input will be welcome on adding a sentence to the Temporary Use Permit. At 6:25 p.m., the Council will hear public input on changing the variance fee from $20 to $50 in Moore County.

In new business, the State Highway Department will present a plan to spray Johnson grass on local roadsides. Two individuals from TDOT, Jarrod Bonar and Lance Roland, will appear before the Metro Council to explain the states herbicide program and to ease any concerns about the “all kill” chemicals that have been used in the past. {To read our complete coverage of this issue, click here.}

Specifically, they will address UT Extension’s Larry Moorehead’s previous concerns about Round Up in previous years, which caused erosion and drifted to adjacent crops. TDOT now sprays Out Rider, an herbicide that kills Johnson Grass only as well as a drift control chemical called Sharp Shooter. Johnson Grass is a safety issue on Moore County Roads because it blocks driver’s vision as they pull onto state highways

The council will also hear a proposal to amend a Metro ordinance for the Metro Utilities Department (MUD).

MUD will also present a proposal to request a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan to repair the sewer system and restore capacity with an eye toward growth in the county. SRF loans are low-interest loans issued to utilities districts throughout the state with qualifying projects. The $2,500,000 loan will address rainfall overflow issues in the Metro Sewer System, which sometimes cause sewage overflow. Sewage spilling on the ground during any condition is a violation of the US Clean Water Act and are regulated by both the state and federal governments.

All Metro Council meetings are open to the general public and take place at the Lynchburg Legion Building located of Booneville Highway. If you have questions or concerns, contact Metro Mayor Bonnie Lewis’s office at 931-759-7076. •

{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Lynchburg, Tennessee. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}