Arlington’s town board members heard updates on fire and sheriff’s services, reviewed business-building activities by the local chamber of commerce, and passed all action items on its agenda at the Jan. 4 monthly meeting.
Fire report
The monthly fire report for December included 104 runs (981 for the year, down compared to the previous year of about 930 runs). Of the December runs, 53 were for emergency medical services (EMS) and 51 were for fires.
The department gave mutual aid 12 times and received it eight times. Thirty-three of the calls were for the area south of Interstate 40.
The department was not available one time.
The department also completed four blood pressure checks, eight fire inspections, 16 smoke detector inspections, and five smoke detector installations.
Fire Chief David Franks mentioned meeting regularly with the Shelby County Office of Prepar-edness to be vigilant about the possibility of flooding in tributary areas and in low-lying areas. He said no flooding is expected in Arlington. The Mississippi is now expected to crest around 40.5 feet.
Shelby County residents who want to see the latest on flood news can visit the Office of Preparedness’s flood news page at staysafeshelby.us/latest-flood-news.
SCSO report
A Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) representative gave an overview of crime-fighting efforts in the town during December.
Year over year, the town saw a drop in its crime rate for December 2015 compared to December 2014.
Chamber update
The Arlington Chamber of Commerce report noted that 2016 is the chamber’s 20th anniversary, with celebrations planned throughout the year, including “birthday” cake during the founding month of June.
Chamber Director Tonia Howell said Dr. Glen Fenter, president of the Greater Memphis Alliance for a Competitive Work-force (GMACW), was so impressed during a recent visit that he wants to host an industrial summit in Arlington.
A town map is due out at the end of January or early February, and the new town guide should be available in either Feb-ruary or March, Howell also informed the town board.
During her overview of chamber activities and its priorities, Howell said, said, “I think my most important job is to create value and strength in our business community.”
Other business
In other business, the Arlington town board also:
- Discussed the popularity of grant-funded commercials now being aired to promote the town’s historic Depot Square.
- Passed amendments to the budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, and to Title 7, Chapter 2, of the town’s fire code.
- Amended the Arlington Master Develop-ment Plan for the property known as the Airline Road Planned Development. Those 24 acres will now have shopping center zoning. Previously, the property was zoned B2 (general business) in one part and light industrial in the rest. After a general board discussion, Alderman Brian Thompson commented, “This is the most appropriate zoning classification for this area.”
