BRUCETON, Tenn. — Though it got dark inside City Hall when a vehicle accident caused a power outage on Tuesday, Mayor Robert T. Keeton, III shed light on several matters facing the town, including its intent to sue Barger Construction and TLM Architects over a defect in the roof of the fire department building.
Keeton told the Board of Aldermen that he contacted the town’s insurance agency after employees noticed roof damage while replacing the wind sock at the fire department’s helipad.
“They noticed that there was deformation in the roof. We turned that in and [the insurance company] denied that claim,” he said. “Should we have any further disaster regarding the roof, we’re not going to be insured.”
Town Attorney Beau Pemberton said an engineering firm hired by the town’s insurer, PE Partners, inspected the roof.
“They indicated in their report that there was a design flaw and a construction flaw in the way the support beams were attached to the center frame of the building,” Pemberton said.
He told the board that the town is still within the 10-year statute of repose governing construction defects. They have until roughly the first of February 2027 to file suit.
“For better or for worse, members of the board, this is one of those situations you don’t realize you have a problem until you have a problem,” Pemberton said.
The board voted unanimously to authorize spending on legal and engineering services to prepare and file the lawsuit.
“If successful in the lawsuit, we would be eligible to get our attorney’s fees and expenses reimbursed,” Keeton said.
Employee appeal
Mayor Keeton told the board that Alan Paschall, a Public Works employee who was terminated from his position, has requested an appeal of that decision. The board set the hearing for September 15 at 4 p.m.
He said the board will serve as the jury, and overturning the termination requires a two-thirds vote. He said he would only vote to break a tie.
Pemberton said the town has retained a court reporter, Ken Mansfield of Dresden, to create a stenographic record of the proceedings.
“So it’s presumptive that the termination will remain in effect, assuming this board chooses to sustain it or to overrule what the mayor has done,” Pemberton said.
Drainage dispute
Mayor Keeton told the board that he has not received a response to a letter he sent to TDOT regarding drainage collapse along Broad Street.
The August 5 letter, addressed to TDOT Commissioner Will Reed, requests intervention over collapsing storm drainage structures under and adjacent to State Route 70, which Keeton wrote are causing roadway instability, erosion and safety hazards.
According to the letter, the local TDOT district office has told the town it is responsible for the repairs, a position Keeton disputes, citing state statute that places drainage systems along state highways under TDOT’s jurisdiction.
Keeton’s letter requests an inspection, a formal determination of jurisdiction, a repair timeline and, if necessary, temporary safety measures for motorists.
Pemberton said this kind of disagreement is common in infrastructure disputes.
“Anytime you have drainage issues, utilities and issues, it’s always a world-class spitting contest between whose problem it is,” he said.
Pemberton said the letter puts the state on formal notice.
Data center moratorium
The board approved the second reading of Ordinance 2026-03, imposing a moratorium on the development of computer and electronic data processing centers within town limits.
The ordinance states that such facilities are not currently identified as a permitted use under Bruceton’s zoning ordinance, meaning they cannot be approved without prior review by the Bruceton Zoning Board. The ordinance also cites concerns over the utility demand, noise, traffic, and environmental impact such centers could bring.
The moratorium bars any new development, permitting, or approval related to data processing centers until the Zoning Board reviews the matter and determines an appropriate zoning classification. It will automatically terminate once the board adopts a zoning amendment addressing the use, or formally determines no amendment is necessary.
Water operator discussion
Keeton opened a discussion on the town’s struggle to develop an in-house water operator. The town has gone through roughly six operator trainees without success, he said.
“My proposal is we cease trying to hire an operator trainee, because most of them come in and they’re expecting to get water operator pay without having any licenses,” Keeton said.
Pemberton said certified water operators are in high demand statewide.
“They are like master electricians. They can write their own check if they want to go somewhere,” Pemberton said.
He explained that that towns including Henry and Atwood have moved to contracted water operators rather than in-house staff.
Keeton said the town’s current contracted water operator, Randy Crossett, is expected to stay roughly two more years.
Other business
The board approved a request from Jana Higdon to hold a 5K run benefiting the Tigers Class of 2027 Project Graduation on Saturday, October 31, from 8 to 10 a.m. It will be held at the new city park.
Keeton updated the board on Carroll County’s move to the TACN radio system, and said Bruceton will likely need to budget for new radios in the future. Costs could potentially fall in the range of $30,000 to $40,000. He added that the county intends to help the town seek grant funding to offset the cost.
During Mayor’s Comments, Keeton thanked Ashley Ingram for assisting with brush clearing on South Carroll Street and reminded residents to watch for signs of heat-related illness in themselves, neighbors and pets.
Bruceton’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13 at 5 p.m.
