The town council of Signal Mountain would like to get started with the new inclusive Dalhia playground that will be built at Althaus Park. A delay has been caused with the wording in the memo of understanding with “Hope Included,” a non-profit with a mission for people to be able to use community spaces regardless of their ability. The organization is partnering with the Harmon family to make the new playground a reality.

The council does not want the town to be constrained in years to come by wording in the Memo of Understanding that would keep conditions in the original version of the playground in perpetuity. At the meeting Monday night some of the discussion was about how to determine what a “reasonable, useful life” for the playground will be and how that is defined and determined. The city does not want to obligate future councils to maintain it in as an inclusive space forever, with decisions that are made today. Instead, council members prefer wording in the contract that the town will make “a good faith effort” to maintain it. Down the road, the city might want other options such as changing the location, using different equipment.

Attorney Harry Cash will present the new version of the MOU to Hope Included and is hopeful that it will agree with the wording. The council members will change with the upcoming election and they would like for this agreement to be reached before then. If they are not in agreement, it will fall to the new council.

Signal Mountain is already preparing for winter. The council approved buying two new snowplows and two salt spreaders. The salt spreaders are larger and will speed up spreading salt, increasing efficiency, and will cost $15,240. The snow plows will cost $18,612 and will replace aging and unreliable equipment. Additionally, the public works department has acquired new trucks and the new vehicles cannot be retrofitted to fit the old snow equipment.

Maintenance on the municipal swimming pool is being done while it is closed for the season. When the floor boards on the deck were being replaced it was discovered that no hangers had been used in the original installation and they are needed for safety. Joist hangers are used to provide structural support and are in the building code. Adding hangers to the deck repairs was approved and it will cost $1,400.

It was noted that an investment of close to $1 million made to the pool over the last several years has paid off. This year the pool earned around $40,000.

In response to an article that appeared in local media asking the town to have more involvement with the Mountain Education Foundation, the council will meet with the foundation members. The MEF is a nonprofit public education foundation dedicated to supporting and providing resources to the public schools on Signal Mountain. Mayor Elizabeth Baker suggested inviting that group to the next council meeting to hear from them.

City Manager Matt Justice said the next free brush pick-up and bulky items with requests made in advance will be Oct. 7. The Tree Board will hold a tree give-away at the recycle center on Saturday.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m.