Community Council Appoints New Members, Considers Constitution Change

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the March 28 meeting, the Sewanee Community Council appointed two new council members, discussed changes to the constitution, and heard updates on the constructed wetlands project and Greenhaw quarry. The council also reviewed recommendations for allocating $11,000 in funds for Community Enhancement projects. [See related story below.]

The council approved the nominations of Kate Reed to serve as District One representative and Louise Irwin to serve as District Two representative through December 2016.

Irwin replaces Michael Hurst, who died recently. Vice-Chancellor John McCardell said of Hurst, “Michael was a highly valued council member whose presence will be missed.” Among his other charges, Hurst served on the Community Relations Committee. Council representative Phil White will assume his duties in that role.

Revisiting a discussion that began two years ago, the council reviewed a change to the constitution that would reallocate council seats. At present, there are three council representatives from each of the four districts, 12 seats total. The reallocation of seats calls for four at-large seats and two seats from each district, maintaining a total of 12 seats.

Council members presently serve four-year terms. When the council decided to consider reallocation of seats in 2014, term lengths were adjusted so that all members’ terms would end in December 2016 to allow for recalibrating district representation. Council member David Coe stressed that the purpose of the change was to increase involvement in the council. The council will vote on the proposal in May.

Sewanee biology professor Deborah McGrath updated the council on the constructed wetland project at the Sewanee Utility District (SUD) wastewater treatment plant, a research project undertaken jointly by the University of the South and the University of Georgia. Funded by a $590,000 water stewardship grant from Coca Cola, the project’s goals are to study the effectiveness of wetlands in getting wastewater cleaner and to involve the community in wastewater issues.

With a view to community involvement, there will be a workshop to construct rain barrels at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., on Friday, April 22, in Spencer Hall. A donation from the Coca-Cola Sustainability Fund provided financial support for the workshops, McGrath said. For more information email
McGrath at <dmcgrath@sewanee.edu>. The researchers are also considering inviting the community to help with planting at the wetlands, scheduled to begin on May 1. 

Updating the council on Tinsley Asphalt’s proposal for a quarry in the Greenhaw community, council member Annie Armour said the Tennessee legislature passed an act allowing the proposed site to be annexed by Decherd so the project could move forward. Since then, opponents sought and received a court-ordered injunction, putting a temporary halt to the project.

Council representative Theresa Shackelford asked if the University could boycott Tinsley as a show of support for the opposition.

“The consequences of such an action would need to be considered carefully,” said McCardell. He advised against a boycott at the present, since the project was stalled. University Director of Physical Plant Services Michael Gardner said Tinsley Asphalt was “a prominent asphalt and pavement supplier for the University and the county.”

Commenting on proposed changes to downtown Sewanee depicted on a map in a recent issue of the Messenger, Irwin said community residents had expressed concern “Sewanee would lose its uniqueness.” Gardner stressed the renovation was still in the planning stages. 

Council member Barbara Schlicting reminded community residents to notify their council representative if they have issues they want brought to the table at the April 21 meeting between the Trustees and the Community Relations Committee.

During the announcement, White put out a call for someone to mow the dog park. He estimated the job would take about 30 minutes with a large mower. Contact White by email to <pwhite@sewanee.edu>.

The council next meets on May 23.