The Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted at their Tuesday afternoon meeting to continue the "Operation Roundup" program, where electric bills to Greeneville Light & Power System customers are rounded off to the next nearest dollar.

The program was initiated a few years ago to help improve lighting at athletic fields around Greeneville and Greene County.

"We want to continue with this because we are not finished," Mayor W. T. Daniels said.

According to him, two of the five area high schools have not yet been assisted through the program: Chuckey-Doak High School and South Greene High School.

The other three area high schools have all gained improved athletic lighting because of "Operation Roundup."

C-DHS football field did have repairs to lighting completed in September of 2011, but it only replaced a single light pole.

"Operation Roundup" has funded lighting projects at the following: North Greene High School Baseball Field, Optimist Little League Baseball Field at Hardin Park, Greeneville City Track, West Greene High School Football Field, Greeneville High School Football Field, Greeneville-Greene County Sports Complex, and Dogwood Park Amphitheatre.

""You can opt out of [Operation Roundup] if you do not want to participate," Alderman Sarah Webster said, indicating that it is a voluntary participation program.

"It really has been a blessing to the schools that have been serviced," she said.

The board also noted that it is an example of a successful Greeneville-Greene County joint venture.

The Greeneville Fire Department was authorized to purchase two new thermal imaging cameras used for firefighting.

Fire Chief Mark Foulks presented before the board a proposal to purchase two ISG thermal imaging cameras, which were slightly more expensive than two other brands of cameras he considered.

"After thorough on-site evaluation of multiple brands of thermal imaging cameras, the ISG model E-380 was superior in image resolution, features that the other cameras did not offer, and compliance with new NFPA standards," read Foulks's proposal.

Each camera will cost $9,500, which is $1,250 more than the alternative Bullard brand camera.

Foulks said the ISG cameras will not only comply with current NFPA standards, but also will meet future standards. The other cameras did not.

The cameras will begin the process of replacing the current four cameras, one with each fire truck, which are aging and requiring maintenance, it was stated.

Foulks said the SWAT team also uses the thermal imaging cameras on occassion.

However, he said the cameras are designed for assisting in smoke and fire situations, and he said he did not think they would be appropriate for searching out roof leaks such as Alderman Keith Paxton suggested.

The board voted to authorize Mayor Daniels to seek grant funds for the placement of underground electrical and telephone infrastructure to support the expansion of Walters State Community College, after a correction to a typographical mistake in the resolution.

The Town has authorized the signing of an application for $574,750 of U.S. Economic Development Agency (EDA )funds "to assist in the placement of underground infrastructure, at an estimated total cost of $1,149,500," according to the resolution.

"This really is a big deal for our community," Mayor Daniels said.

He said it is important for the town to support the area community college, which is located in the downtown region. "We really are fortunate to have Walters State downtown."

WSCC will be responsible for matching funds in the amount of $574,750.

A traffic signalization study has been authorized by the board to look at the traffic signals along the Andrew Johnson Highway from Industrial Road to Wal-Mart.

Town Engineer and Public Works Director Brad Peters said each of the signals was installed individually and often years apart from one another. There is no coordination or interconnection among the signals.

"It prevents the road from operating as a system," Peters said.

He proposed hiring Cannon & Cannon, Inc. to run the study for the 11 traffic signals, which "includes eight existing signals and three new ones whose installation is pending," according to the proposal.

It continued with stating that the goal of the study is "providing a fully functioning interconnected traffic signal system utilizing appropriate current technology."

Peters said he has asked the company to look closely at two intersections about which he has received numerous complaints: Justis Drive and East Andrew Johnson Highway. and Rufe Taylor Road and East Andrew Johnson Highway.

The company will provide cost estimates for updating current technology and other changes needed to make the signals act as a system and improve the flow of traffic.

The money has not been specifically budgeted for the signal improvements, but Peters said the town has only used 10 percent of its street lighting fund despite already being one quarter through the current fiscal year.

"If things hold, we would have the funds for it this year in the budget," he said.

Peters prefers to use the money from the budget but mentioned as an alternative to use street aid fund money.

The proposed budget for the services Cannon & Cannon would render is $9,500.

The board voted to approve a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute and deliver quitclaim deeds for property-owners.

It is for separate proposals to purchase three parcels from the town, which the board approved during the Sept. 5 meeting.

Jimmy R. Collins Jr. with Casper's Body Shop & Wrecker Service LLC, outbid the Greeneville Water Commission to purchase the town-owned warehouse on Loretta Street.

Collins also purchased the town-owned lot on Loretta Street adjoining his current business.

The properties are currently shown as Parcel 005.01 of Group F on Tax Map 098F and Parcel 011.00 of Group F on Tax Map 098F.

Both purchases would serve to grow Collins' business.

A property-owner on West Barton Ridge Road, Matthew Smith, purchased a small parcel of land from the town where the driveway on his current lot has existed for about 40 years.

The property is currently shown as Parcel 014.00 of Group A on Tax Map 099P.

The board approved a Transfer Station Hopper Maintenance Bid from Team Millwright & Maintenance, LLC in the amount of $10,000.

Landfill manager Zip Wright said that he received only one bid though there were three original interested parties.

The regular annual maintenance will include replacing the belt around the hopper, replacing the flatbar and fastners and struts, and other repairs.

He said the support mechanism has come loose and there is extensive wear and damage to a 3/8-inch steel plate on the front part of the hopper which needs to be replaced.

Ed Kershaw's proposed membership on the Greeneville Parking Authority was approved by the board.

The Parking Authority considered three applicants but recommended Kershaw because of his background in law, which the authority deemed useful.

The board approved an application for a Pool Room Permit at Hot Wheels Sports Complex at 390 E. Andrew Johnson Hwy.