Trezevant to Revive Industrial Board

TREZEVANT(January 13) —The Trezevant Board of Mayor and Aldermen confronted significant development and procedural hurdles at its January 13 meeting, with the long-dormant Industrial Development Board (IDB) at the center of the debate. The meeting concluded with a call to formally reconstitute the seven-member IDB to address key property issues, most notably the transfer and potential rezoning of the former Hillsman property located adjacent to Pat’s Restaurant on Highway 79.

The IDB has been “dormant” in recent years, with all member terms expired, but its role remains critical. City Attorney Charlie Trotter stressed the need to elect seven new members to bring the board into compliance and proceed with development. Alderman Don Barger, who has successfully recruited seven proposed new members, suggested presenting a slate of seven nominees to the Council for approval, as required by state law. Previously, the Industrial Board inappropriately appointed its own members.

Property Proposals Fuel Debate

The future of key properties dominated the discussion:

• The vacant Hillsman Property: A citizen, speaking on behalf of Mr. Phil Colwell, proposed purchasing city land next to Pat’s Restaurant—a property officially owned by the IDB—to build a family-owned discount store.

• The citizen was quickly redirected, as the property is currently zoned R1 (Residential). Both the City Attorney and former IDB member, Barger clarified that any proposal must first go through the Planning Commission for the proposed rezoning. The newly formed IDB, however, first action upon receiving the property from the city must be to seek rezoning from residential to B1 (Commercial).

• Survey Commissioned: The board approved a motion to immediately hire a surveyor to conduct a survey for the vacant Hillsman property, deemed a “necessary and immediate step” for the possible sale to Colwell.

• Historic Church Acquisition: The board considered a proposal from Rita Foster, a citizen, for the town to acquire the historic Trezevant Cumberland Presbyterian Church for community use, including a venue for choruses, town hall meetings, and small weddings. Citing the building’s zoning restrictions that make an auction difficult, the proposal suggested that the church could be acquired as a gift or for a nominal fee from the defunct congregation. The church closed in 2024. Concerns were raised about the building’s condition, which one speaker suggested might be a “$100,000 liability.” The board voted for Attorney Charlie Trotter to contact the owners’ legal representation in Dyersburg to investigate the building’s condition, sale interest, and potential liabilities before proceeding.

Vetting Process and Financial Risks

The discussion underscored the IDB’s significant financial power, which includes the authority to pledge the town’s full faith and credit for its debts, a practice that has historically led to taxpayer liability in other towns. This sparked a discussion about vetting new members. While the statute requires members to be town electors, some board members advocated for a formal, public vetting process that could include credit and background checks to ensure the newly empowered board acts responsibly. It was noted that the new board must be educated on open meeting laws, as the previous board’s bylaws incorrectly stated that no public notice was required for meetings.

In Other Board News:

• Fire Engine Relocation: The city fire engine was relocated to a single fire station in October to satisfy an insurance-mandated ISO rating assessment. The move has improved response times by allowing staff and gear to depart from a single location, and the city engine has since been used successfully at a house fire. The department continues to face staffing shortages, with four new recruits in training expected to be ready in about six months. Councilman Leon Lyell said the department has mutual aid agreements with the County Of Carroll's fire department and receives assistance most notably from McLemoresville, Atwood and McKenzie departments.

• Police Staffing: The police department is now fully staffed with the return of Mr. Mike Mulligan, who returns to the department as a full-time officer, working alternating shifts to maintain an unpredictable presence.

• Permit Protocol: A detailed proposal was presented to establish a formal building permit protocol to improve efficiency and ensure legal compliance with ordinances. Councilman Dan Dieringer presented a plan that includes a structured workflow for applications, reviews, and appeals. Action was taken to schedule a meeting with a Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) attorney to advise on establishing fees, fines, and updating local code books.