Boaters and fishermen on Norris Lake will have to wait awhile longer to have cold beer delivered to them on the water.  A Knoxville couple applied for a beer license to open a business delivering beer by boat to customers on the water, but the Campbell County Beer Board voted Monday night to deny the permit, because the applicants could not confirm that the lakeside dwelling they have procured as a permanent address for their business is zoned for commercial use.

It was evident from questions and discussion that the beer board members had reservations about the application, Zachary Marlow observing, “We’re entering uncharted territory.”

Operators of several Norris Lake marinas were present at the meeting and although not directly voicing opposition to the permit, expressed their doubts, including how enforcement would work regarding deliveries that might cross county lines.

The applicants had planned initially to operate from a large boat docked near Twin Cove Marina, filling delivery orders with smaller craft. The requirement that the business would need a permanent address resulted in their decision to operate from a dwelling in the vicinity of Twin Cove, but they could not confirm whether the location was zoned commercial.

Scott Kitts made a motion to deny the permit until the applicants can provide proof that the location is classified as commercial, and the beer board voted unanimously to deny the permit.

During the regular meeting, the commission voted unanimously to approve a request from Highland Telephone Cooperative to allow the Scott County utility to construct poles along Campbell County roadways in Stinking Creek and along Highway 297 in the Elk Valley area for expansion of a broadband network.

Highland has obtained a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to run broadband services from Scott County to Highway 297, extending internet services to Jellico, Newcomb and Elk Valley, as well as part of Stinking Creek.

At last week’s workshop, Highland representatives told commissioners that they would also like to extend their service area along Stinking Creek Road and into Habersham, but the grant money is not currently available. Highland Telephone asked Campbell County to apply for a $900,000 ARC grant to pay for the additional extension of service and the commission will later act on that request.

The commission also voted unanimously to transfer unneeded county property in Mount Paran to the Industrial Development Board, which will then lease it to a private business for expansion of their delivery area.

Commissioners also discussed the transfer of school department property in the Oak Grove area to the Oak Grove Cemetery for use as a veterans’ burial site. County Attorney Joe Coker explained that the commission can request the school board to approve the transfer, but has no direct control over school department property.

The commission also discussed the hiring process for a new Director of Sanitation after Walt Sutton’s retirement at the end of the year. Coker explained that the County Mayor has the power to hire the new director, with the commission having the power to either confirm or reject the Mayor’s choice.

Ralph Davis made a motion to bring the Mayor’s decision directly before the full commission, without first being approved by the Sanitation Committee. Surprisingly, his motion narrowly passed, with seven commissioners voting “no.”

Finally, commissioners discussed whether the county is always meeting the letter of the law in providing “adequate public notice” of all meetings.

Several commissioners expressed doubts that all meetings are adequately announced, which potentially could legally nillify any decisions made at those meetings. A meeting of the Rules & Ethics Committee was scheduled for next Monday, November 26 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the subject and come up with any necessary recommendations. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 11/20/2018-6AM)

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