The Claiborne Medical Center has offered to donate one of its older box-type ambulances to the Tazewell-New Tazewell (TNT) Fire Department. According to fire chief Josh Miracle, the emergency vehicle will contain some medical supplies as well.

Miracle updated the New Tazewell Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BMA), during its October meeting.

The chief said the ambulance would be used only to assist “should the need arise.”

It will cost the sister cities, Tazewell and New Tazewell, approximately $625 to insure the ambulance to the same specifications as the other fire department vehicles, he said.

After little discussion, the BMA unanimously accepted the gift, pending approval by legal counsel.

Miracle said his station is in receipt of a $10,000 donation that was recently awarded by England Inc., a local manufacturer, as part of a countywide recognition to all firefighters.

In other action, the BMA adopted Ordinance 2017-335, which creates Chapter 6, Section 1-601, in the city codes.

The new section prohibits the blocking within 15 feet of fire hydrants by motor vehicles, cycles, bicycles, refuse containers or other obstructions. The chapter also prohibits obstructions within three feet behind the curb line on the remaining sides of the hydrant.

The owner will be notified of the need to remove the obstruction. If the offending items are not moved in a timely manner, the owner will be charged the cost of removal, incurred by the city.

According to the ordinance, the property owner or manager will be fined $50 per day for non-removal of the obstruction.

A public hearing on the ordinance, held just prior to the meeting, drew no response.

The BMA also approved a resolution to submit an application for a Property Conservation Grant, through the Tennessee Municipal League. If approved, the grant will help the city to update its security system.

The council granted permission to allow the 2017 edition of the Christmas Parade to occur up South Broad Street. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. on Nov. 18. As has been the case in past years, the city waived the normal fee attached to such events.