BMA moves to bring Drug Task Force back to Erwin

The Erwin Board of Mayor and Aldermen met Aug. 10 to discuss its agenda, including a potential new agreement with the Tennessee Drug Task Force, a request for promotional signage for the Apple Festival and a special event request for a Relay for Life race. The board approved a resolution allowing the Erwin Police Department to rejoin the drug task force. Police Officer Patrick Bennett explained that the partnership gives the department access to additional equipment, agents and resources that would otherwise be unavailable for the town. The agreement requires Erwin to contribute $2,000 annually, but Bennett said the arrangement can provide a significant return for the town through proceeds from seized property and other assets. "We have access to their agents in case we have something that's going on down here that calls for them," Bennett told the board. "We have access to their equipment, their radio equipment, if we need it." Bennett said the department was previously a part of the task force and that he wasn't quite sure why they ever stopped, but he was adamant that rejoining would be a huge benefit for the department. The board also approved a request from Public Works Director Greg Forbes to install additional stop signs on New Avenue. Forbes said a resident had raised concerns about speeding along the long, straight stretch of roadway for a while now and upon his own research, Forbes agreed it was a problem. "I feel like the gentleman has a legitimate complaint," Forbes said. "Upon looking at the situation, I feel like a very easy and affordable solution would be making three intersections there all-way stops." Forbes said the additional stop signs would create more frequent stopping points and should help reduce speeds, particularly as construction in other parts of town increases traffic in the area. He also said Police Chief Tony Buchanan had no objection to the proposal. The board also approved a special event request for Relay for Life organizers to hold a race that would cross the Pat E. Brown Memorial Bridge into downtown Erwin and back. Organizers said there's two separate races planned, both a 4K walk/run and a competitive 8K, is intended to raise money for Relay for Life while bringing visitors into the community and supporting local businesses. Organizers said the race would use professional event coordination and work with the Erwin Police Department to limit road closures and maintain safety. During the meeting, Amanda Delp from the Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce also discussed plans to use flutter flags as temporary decorations along Main Avenue as part of this year's Apple Festival. The board discussed whether the decorations would comply with existing sign regulations and decided to wait to make a final determination to make sure the flags were compliant to code or if the Chamber would need a variance.