Fentress County Commission will consider options to control noise and potential other factors at festivals and events.
That after a recent festival at the Catoose Event Center this month brought forth several complaints. Concerns about noise, nudity, drug, and alcohol use were discussed by county commissioners. County Commissioner Benny Hughes:
“This is something we can’t fix in one night,” Hughes said. “I think we need legal advice on this. Heavy, heavy legal advice. And there has to be a bunch of options.”
County Executive Jimmy Johnson said that conversations will need to be had about future events regarding expectations and agreements for music curfews and other festival activities.
County Attorney Leslie Ledbetter said that Johnson had asked her to explore a noise ordinance and what can be enforced through the County Powers Act. She said that the municipalities will play a role in what can be done, because it’s difficult to enforce a county-wide ordinance in a rural area.
“But cities, it’s pretty easy to regulate because you’re in a much smaller area generally,” Ledbetter said. “By the time you have a noise complaint in West Fentress and someone gets down there to measure the decibels, that truck may be gone, but in the city that’s pretty easy.”
Commissioner Kim Davidson said that because the noise was not the only concern brought to the commission, the county should explore how to best address all concerns. She said it’s important to make sure these types of issues are addressed fully in the best way possible.
“The fact that we don’t take an action tonight, does not mean there’s going to be no action,” Davidson said. “It’s going to let us do it and let us do it right.”
The commission voted to create a committee to look into this including the Sheriff and other emergency personnel.
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