C I T Y
Belle Meade
O F T E N N E S S E E
COMMISSIONERS: James V. Hunt, Sr., Mayor • Cathy Altenbern, Vice Mayor • Gray O. Thornburg, Bob Weigel,
Boyd Bogle • Beth Reardon, City Manager/Treasurer • Tim Eads, Chief of Police • Linda Berner, City Recorder
City Hall (615) 297-6041 / Police Dept. (615) 297-0241 / www.citybellemeade.org
®
NEWSLETTER TO RESIDENTS OF BELLE MEADE FEBRUARY 2016
FROM MAYOR JIM HUNT
Commissioner Retreat- Planning for the Future
Next week, your Board of Com• Citizen Safety
missioners will spend 2 two days
in our annual retreat preparing for
the next year and further into the
future. Goals and objectives that
were established in previous years
will be reviewed and evaluated as
to completion, further study or
elimination. Citizen input is invaluable in gauging importance
as we move quickly in an era of
technological dependency. Not
necessarily associated with this, is the significant expense consideration for depreciating assets e.g. sewer system, roads, vehicles
and other various infrastructure. We welcome and encourage your
ideas for improvement. The list of agenda items suggests a broad
array of topics. Help us by adding to this:
•
Improving Communications – Key to positive relationship with residents
o Increasing collection of residents email addresses
o Timely EMMA email blasts
o Newsletter, Belle Meade Living
oSocial Media (Facebook, iCitizen, Neighborhood
Watch, NextDoor)
•
•
•
•
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o Video Surveillance- both City and Private Systems
oPolice
o Alarm systems including false alarms
City Services
o Sewer System
o Roads, Signs, Snow removal; paving schedule
o Recycle and Trash Collection
o Chipper Service
Budget/Finance
o Hall and Property Taxes
o Storm Water and Sewer Fees
o Early Voting fees
Zoning/Codes
o Boards and Commissions -prospective candidates
o New Ordinance evaluation (Building Materials, Asbestos remediation)
Beautification
oCeres
o Parks (Parmer and Page)
o Boulevard Flags
Efficiency and Effectiveness of City Operations
o Succession planning (City Manager, Finance, Legal
Counsel, City Recorder)
o Department Study (Police, Public Works, Administrative, Zoning/Codes)
LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, by Mayor Hunt
Following the recent heavy snow fall, many residents wanted
City Officials to know what they felt about the City’s clearing process. Comments ranged from:
“I thought everyone at BMCH did a fantastic job this past
weekend considering the circumstances”;
“A lot of people were frustrated and it could have been avoided
if we had known the plans and procedures in light of the extreme
weather conditions”;
“But for a few bent over juniper trees in my back yard, the
storm is already a distant memory”; “Please let Larry know that
we appreciate his hard work. And remind him that there are some
people that you simply cannot make happy!”;
“Those who called to complain should not have been out in
their cars! Thanks for all that the City of Belle Meade does for its
residents”;
“I just want to go on record as saying that I think our City government has done a great job managing the snow removal. This
was an unusually big snow event and any expectations that all
roads would be cleared quickly was simply unreasonable. I, for
one, did not expect that. And I appreciate the hard work that everyone did to keep us safe and to manage the impact from this snow
storm as efficiently as possible”;
“You guys did a great job. I was on Harding Place on Sunday
and it was clear, and easily navigated. How surprised was I when
I then turned onto Hillsboro Road, to find it completely iced at the
top of the hill all the way down, towards Green Hills. So anyone
that may have complained, obviously didn’t get out at all to compare Belle Meade roads to other parts of this area”;
continued on next page . . .
Belle Meade Newsletter
continued from previous page . . .
“Terrible! Absolutely POOR job on the part of the City Hall!
Unacceptable!”;
“Thanks, I hope once they ask around, they will find Belle Meade’s
major roads were much better than other major roads nearby”;
“Wondering why the Belle Meade streets have not been salted and
scraped. This is the worst storm in almost 30 years. My neighbor is
now stuck in the middle of the street and no one can get in or out”;
“Thanks to all that worked tirelessly to keep everyone safe!”;
The truth of the matter is, a protocol exists setting forth the primary
and secondary streets, hills, and curves designated for snow removal
and it was being followed. This is not to say the protocol is perfect.
There will always be disagreements on primary streets, especially if
you don’t live on one. This is an agenda item at the Commissioners’
Retreat to be held in a few days. All of Belle Meade would be considered primary if we owned our own equipment, and had unlimited
resources, including adequate staff to operate the equipment. That is
not the case and this snowfall was an unusual event: amount of snow
and the rapid accumulation and re-accumulation.
For more information on Primary and Secondary Roads, Hills
and Curves, see the website for current snow removal protocol and
city map. http://www.citybellemeade.org/public_works/streets
FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT – CHIEF TIM EADS:
SCAM UPDATE. Last March Belle Meade and the
Davidson County area were targeted with over 200
phone calls during a 24 hour period by scammers
claiming to be from the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office. The
caller would tell the person they had a warrant for their arrest for
missing Jury Duty. The caller would then tell the victim that they
could have the warrant dismissed if they paid the fine immediately
by purchasing a pre-paid money transfer card commonly known as
a green dot card. This was a well-planned scam using the 615 area
code and appearing to be legitimate. In addition, the caller could
be very convincing to a law abiding citizen wanting to do the right
thing because the caller would assure them that a Jury Notice had
been mailed to them.
Unfortunately, we had one case in which a resident was persuaded to pay the fine. Ultimately, the resident became suspicious and
called us. The transaction had been completed, so the money was
gone. The resident was able to provide information that allowed us
to start a solid investigation into who was responsible for the scam
operation. The investigation led us to a state penitentiary in Georgia.
When Detective Sexton contacted the local authorities in the area,
he was referred to the FBI. The FBI told the Detective that they were
investigating a particular prison for possible corruption and believed
guards and prisoners were operating this phone scam from inside the
prison. The FBI happily adopted our prosecutable case along with
others to aid in their investigation. Last month, they were able to
complete their investigation with the arrest of over 50 people that
included guards, prisoners and other accomplices involved in the
corruption. The entire story can be read at:
http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/more-50-individuals-
charged-massive-corruption-fraud-and-moneylaundering-schemes. Please continue to be on guard
for these types of scams and call us immediately at
615-297-0241 to report the number that comes up on your caller ID.
The number will be forwarded Detective Sexton.
Remember to always Park Smart by removing or hiding valuables in your vehicle even when you are home. The West Nashville
area has seen a rise in vehicle burglaries over the last few weeks
and locking your vehicle is a great way to prevent and discourage
this type of crime.
When you travel, please put your home on our Close Watch
List and we will send extra patrols by to check your house while
you are away. Always set your home alarm system, even if you
are going to be away for only a few minutes. Practice good alarm
management by knowing how to use all the features that come
with your system. This helps avoid false alarms and allows you to
fully benefit from your system. If you need assistance with learning more about your system, your provider will be happy to assist.
When you have the occasion to speak with your alarm provider,
always verify that the Belle Meade Police are listed as the Primary
responder to avoid a delayed response to an activation.
Never hesitate to call in any activity that you deem suspicious.
Call the Police Dept immediately at 615-297-0241.
We encourage you to stay active in the Neighborhood Watch
Program, which is effective in deterring crime and bringing neighbors closer together. It also a great source to get information on
crimes that may be occurring in your immediate area. To learn
more about NHW, contact Officer Dee Howell at [email protected].
ANNUAL THORNBURG YOUTH CONFERENCE
Let’s Talk About Life After Graduation - What You Should Know.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28th, 2PM, BELLE MEADE CITY HALL
All graduating Seniors of the Class of 2016 are cordially invited
to the Annual Thornburg Youth Conference, sponsored by the
Belle Meade Police Department. Officer Dee Howell will moderate the discussions. The goal of this conference is to impart legal
aspects of becoming an adult, including what you should know
about personal safety and responsibility, search and seizure laws,
and your rights as an adult. The program will last roughly an hour
with a question and answer session afterward.
No parents will be allowed, so our youth can ask questions
freely without fear of being judged! As our high school seniors
turn 18, we want them to be enlightened in terms of the law and in
terms of keeping the sunshine in their life! Please E-RSVP to Officer Howell to register, so we can plan for enough refreshments:
[email protected] .
Belle Meade Newsletter
RECAP OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ MEETINGS
The Commissioners took action on the following
items at the January 2016 meeting:
• Approved the purchase of emergency lighting equipment for the 2016 Ford Utility Unmarked C.I.D for the investigator from On-Duty Depot for
$2,296.50. If On-Duty Depot is willing to do the installation
for $550, they will received the work order. Otherwise, Blue
Lighting will be given the work for their bid of $550.
• Appointed Gloria Sternberg to the Municipal Planning Commission and appointed James Edwards to the Board of Zoning
Appeals as an alternate.
• Deferred action on Ordinance 2015-8,
Amend Stormwater Ordinance, on second
reading.
Real and Personal Property Taxes – The deadline for paying
your 2015 Belle Meade Real Property Taxes and Personal Property Taxes is Monday, February 29, 2016. After that date, a 2%
penalty per month will be incurred. If you have any questions,
please contact Linda Berner at 615-297-6041
WHAT: A one-day, citywide,
volunteer effort to help rescue
our public parks and green spaces from invasive species through
hands-on removal of especially harmful trees, vines and flowering
plants. These include bush honeysuckle, Chinese privet, autumn
olive, English ivy and winter creeper.
WHEN: Saturday, March 5, 2016 from 9 a.m. to Noon
WHERE: Fifteen public parks and other public-accessible
spaces across Nashville, including Friends of Warner Parks, Bells
Bend, Cheekwood, Shelby Bottoms, Richland Creek Watershed
Alliance, Radnor Lake State Natural Area, Nashville Zoo, Owls
Hill Nature Sanctuary, Ft. Negley, Adventure Science Center, City
Cemetery/Metro Historical Commission, Bowie Nature Park/City
of Fairview, Harpeth River Watershed Association, Nashville A
Rocha/Church of the Redeemer, University School of Nashville.
Other partners include: Invasive Plant Control, Inc., Greenways for Nashville, Lipscomb University Institute for Sustainable Practice, City of Forest Hills, City of Belle Meade, Belmont
University, Cumberland River Compact, Metro Nashville, Room
in the Inn, TN-EPPC, REI and Hands on Nashville.
For meeting
points and to register, please visit: www.weedwranglenashville.
org or Hands on Nashville.
WHY: Invasive/exotic plants and the pests associated with
them degrade woodlands, threaten wildlife habitat, increase the
risk of wildfire and alter the appearance of public spaces, including those set aside for the enjoyment and recreation of all Nashville residents. Without decisive intervention, these plants, insects
and other non-native intruders will continue to adversely impact
our city’s ecosystem resources and services.
WHO: Weed Wrangle Nashville is organized by The Garden
Club of Nashville, which along with The Garden Club of America
has provided funding. Partner organizations across town have also
assisted in planning and publicity efforts. Event Co-Chairmen are
Cayce McAlister [email protected] and Laura Landstreet [email protected].
HOW: On Saturday, March 5, teams of volunteers, supervised
by knowledgeable guides, will proceed through targeted areas to
locate and uproot such unwelcome plants as bush honeysuckle,
Chinese privet, autumn olive, English ivy and winter creeper.
Those wishing to volunteer in advance should choose where
they’d like to work, and register using the online form at www.
weedwranglenashville.org. Directions to Saturday’s meeting
points are listed for each site.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring water bottles, work gloves
and, if possible, a digging tool such as a mattock (a common hand
tool similar to a pickaxe).
Where
The Fairgrounds, Nashville
625 Smith Avenue
Nashville, TN 37204
When
Saturday, March, 19, 2016
Girls of Merit Brunch: 10:00am 11:30pm
Expo: 12pm to 4pm
• College and Career Fair
• Art Show
• Bright Ideas Science Fair
• Street-Style Marketplace
• Live Runway Fashion Show to close the wonderful day
• MUCH, MUCH MORE!
Girls World Expo can change your life – come together with your
friends, or make new ones at the Expo, to enjoy a magical day
where you will hear from and meet successful and powerful women right from your own community who can show you a path to
success! You will attend workshops, listen to speakers, see demonstrations, science exhibits, and speak one-on-one with women who
are leaders in business, government, industry, the arts, and many
other realms of endeavor. It’s a rare opportunity for you to see what
your future could be, and learn what it will take to get there.
But it’s not all work! Girls World Expo is also fun. There’s
a fashion show, an art show, music and dance performances by
talented local artists, and the always-popular GWE Marketplace,
where you can see and purchase everything from hair accessories
to self-help materials, and clothing to jewelry.
It’s not just another day. It’s a very special day. It’s an opportunity to spend a day in a safe, secure environment inspired by the
company of other girls and not just seeing but creating the future.
Your future.
Contact
Valerie Moore, Executive Director
[email protected]
GIRLS WORLD EXPO—Nashville, Tennessee—
Get tickets Now!
http://www.girlsworldexpo.com/nashville2016
In partnership with
What we’re working on for this year’s Expo:
• Girls of Merit Brunch
• Hot-topic seminars
• Live music, dance, performances
• Healthy living
MORE INFO: www.weedwranglenashville.org
Belle Meade Newsletter
REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS
FEBRUARY & MARCH 2016
ALL MEETINGS ARE HELD AT
BELLE MEADE CITY HALL
Municipal Planning Commission
Tuesday, Feb 16th at 4:00 pm
Tuesday, Mar 15th at 4:00 pm
Board of Building Code Appeals
Tuesday Feb 9th at 400 pm
Tuesday, Mar 8th at 4:00 pm
EARLY VOTING AT BELLE MEADE CITY HALL
is open from Friday, February 12th through
Tuesday, February 23rd.
Board of Zoning Appeals
Tuesday, Feb 16th at 5:00 pm
Tuesday, Mar 15th at 5:00 pm
For specific dates, times and other locations,
please click here:
Board of Commissioners
Wednesday, Feb 17th at 4:00 pm
Wednesday, Mar 16th at 4:00 pm
http://www.nashville.gov/Election-Commission.aspx
Agendas are available online at www.citybellemeade.org
CITY OF BELLE MEADE
4705 Harding Road
Nashville, Tennessee 37205
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