NOVEMBER 2022 | VOL. 8, ISSUE 10 | |
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The library will be closed for the Christmas holidays from December 23-December 26, and for the New Year’s holiday from December 31- January 2.
During the time around the holidays, the library will be preparing for some much-needed renovations. The restrooms will be completely rebuilt to better modernize our facilities and to better serve our users. Our Children’s Room, much loved and well-used, will be getting an all new look that will help everyone discover new ways to read, learn, and play.
During the few days immediately before Christmas and in between Christmas and New Year’s, the Library building will be closed to public traffic. However, patrons will be able to check out materials through our curbside service. Mobile printing will be available, and library staff will be available via phone and email. Patrons needing a wireless connection can place a Hotspot on hold with their library card or use the library’s public Wi-Fi, which extends to the plaza and into the library’s parking lot.
Curbside service will run from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on December 21st, 22nd, 27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th.
After placing a hold on books, movies, music, or Wi-Fi hotspots through the library’s catalog, patrons will receive a text message, email, or phone call letting them know their materials are available.
Patrons will park in front of the library’s outdoor book drop, call the posted phone number, and Library staff will check out and deliver items. Any items placed on hold after 9 a.m. will be available for pickup the following day.
During the time the library is closed to the public, multiple renovations will be taking place in the building. We will be installing a new circulation desk and preparing for the Children’s Room and bathroom renovations. When the library reopens on January 3rd, the Children’s Room will be temporarily relocated into the Library Auditorium. All regularly scheduled library programs will continue as planned.
Although the planned renovations will temporarily cause some services to be relocated, the library plans to provide our regular level of service during all renovations. Once the renovations are complete, the library’s bathrooms will not only be new but ADA-compliant as well. The Children’s Room will be redesigned with new shelving, new play spaces, and fresh carpeting.
For more information, call the library at (865) 425-3455, visit orpl.org, or follow the library on Facebook and Twitter: @OakRidgePubLib.
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The annual citywide leaf pickup program, coordinated by Waste Connections of Tennessee, is now underway.
Collection efforts will follow the proposed schedule as closely as possible. Please note that the proposed schedule is a general guide and can vary considerably from the actual schedule due to weather conditions, resident participation, and the amount of leaves needed to be picked up.
The following guidelines will help make the leaf pick-up process easier for Waste Connections crews and homeowners:
Residents should place their leaves near, but not beyond the curb. Leaves must not be placed on the sidewalk or in the street, parking spaces, or drainage ditches due to posing a pedestrian or traffic hazard and possibly clogging the storm drains. Hazards that are created by improperly placed leaves will be removed by the City at the resident's expense.
Leaves must be free of tree branches and twigs as these can cause the leaf vacuums to clog; therefore, delaying the pick-up schedule. Because of their impact on production, leaf piles found to contain these items will not be picked up.
All leaves must be placed outside fenced areas. If there is no other location on your property to rake your leaves, rake them to the end or side of your driveway. Leaves may also be placed in plastic bags and will be picked up at the curb during the scheduled program.
Only leaves will be collected during this program. Citizens are reminded that the city-wide household trash and brush pick-ups are scheduled in April and May only.
At the completion of the day, a final drive-through of each daily specified route will be done to verify and ensure that all leaves are collected during that time.
Please be advised that delays may occur due to unforeseen weather conditions and the level of resident participation. We appreciate resident patience should your leaves not be picked up on your specified day. Streets will be swept approximately two weeks after leaves are picked up in each designated area.
For more information, please contact Waste Connections of Tennessee at (865) 482-3656.
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The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, in cooperation with the Department of Energy and the City of Oak Ridge, will be holding Big Game Quota Hunts on the Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
For everyone’s safety, only hunters possessing a valid Oak Ridge WMA quota permit are allowed on the WMA during scheduled quota hunts.
The Oak Ridge WMA includes the Black Oak Ridge Conservation Easement (BORCE), North Boundary Greenway, Gallaher Bend Greenway, Haw Ridge Park and the portion of Melton Lake Greenway passing through Haw Ridge Park. These areas will be closed to the general public during scout days and quota hunts on the following days:
- December 3, 2022 (Scout Day)
- December 10 – 11, 2022 (Hunt Days)
For more information, please check the TWRA website, www.tn.gov/twra or contact the Oak Ridge Recreation & Parks Department at (865) 425-3450.
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The City of Oak Ridge broke ground last month on its new water treatment plant.
The efforts of the City’s Public Works and Finance departments’ staff have been instrumental in developing a plan to replace the existing 1943 plant, which is currently at capacity and beyond its useful life. The total cost for the new ultrafiltration membrane drink water treatment plan is estimated at $78.3 million.
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) owned and operated the existing potable water treatment plant at its Y-12 facility and sold water to the City of Oak Ridge for distribution to Oak Ridge residents and businesses. On May 1, 2000, ownership of the water treatment facility was transferred to the City of Oak Ridge.
The replacement of the 80-year-old conventional treatment plant will allow the City to keep up with its growth and treat up to 12 million gallons of water per day while also meeting critical water demands for the Department of Energy for its long-term operation of world-leading research and manufacturing in the Oak Ridge area.
“This plant provides every drop of water to our 31,000 residents from Elza Gate on the East, to the Preserve on the West, and to all DOE facilities, most notably Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Y-12 National Security Complex, which will soon include the new Uranium Processing Facility,” said Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch. “Our new plant will produce high-quality drinking water and deliver it through new pipelines more reliably and efficiently than current operations.”
Some of the additional parts of the project include the construction of raw water intake pumps, traveling screens, a finished water pump station, and water pipelines as well as the rehabilitation of the existing finished water tanks.
The City will use funding from the State of Tennessee Revolving Loan Fund and Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA).
“The EPA has provided $21 million in loans as the smallest of the large cities in the first round of WIFIA funding,” said Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson. “Congressman Chuck Fleischmann has helped with additional federal funding in an anticipated $8.5 million.”
Jacobs Engineering Group designed the new plant and will also be involved in construction administration. On Monday, Oct. 10, Oak Ridge City Council approved contracting with Bowen Engineering Corporation to construct the project.
“Public Works Department water plant and operations employees are charged with maintaining the system and ensuring a safe and sufficient supply of water will be delivered to its customers,” Oak Ridge Public Works Director Patrick Berge said. “This new plant is going to be crucial in making sure we’re able to continue to do that and today’s groundbreaking was the first step in the process.”
Builders intend to have the plant, located on Pumphouse Road, ready to provide water by Spring 2025. For more information, contact Oak Ridge Public Works at (865) 425-1875 or visit OakRidgeTN.gov.
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TRISO-X LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of X-energy, broke ground in October and began construction activities on North America’s first commercial-scale advanced nuclear fuel facility right here in Oak Ridge.
According to the company, the TRISO-X Fuel Fabrication Facility (TF3) will be the genesis of future commercial-scale advanced nuclear energy innovation and deployment, creating more than 400 jobs and attracting an investment of approximately $300 million.
TF3 is set to be commissioned and operational by 2025.
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The City of Oak Ridge is currently accepting applications for board members on fifteen City boards or commissions.
Oak Ridge residency is required for appointment. Members serve without compensation.
Individuals interested in serving on any of the three boards and/or commissions must submit a completed Boards and Commissions Application online or to the City Clerk's Office by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 30, 2022.
Applications can be completed online on the City’s website: www.oakridgetn.gov/online/cityclerk/bcelections
Late applications will not be considered.
The Oak Ridge City Council will appoint members to these boards and commissions at the special meeting on January 9, 2023.
If someone would like a paper copy of the application mailed to them or if they have any further questions, please call the City Clerk’s Office at (865) 425-3411.
For more information on the vacancies available and to apply online, visit www.oakridgetn.gov/online/cityclerk/bcelections.
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ORFD recognized for administering
life-saving CPR
One of Oak Ridge Fire Department's newest EMTs saved a man's life on his first day on the job with the new certification.
Ryan Frasier responded to the call for a CPR in progress and the rest of the Engine 3 crew arrived not long behind him to assist.
The man survived. He spent some time in the ICU, then in the hospital recovering before he could go home to be with his son in Kingston. Doctors say had he been somewhere else other than Oak Ridge at the time, he may not have made it.
The group received "CPR Save" pins for their roles in the chain of survival during a cardiac arrest.
ORFD would like to remind you of its free smoke alarm program. More information can be found later in the newsletter. If you have any further questions about fire safety, give the Oak Ridge Fire Department a call at (865) 425-3520.
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The Oak Ridge Senior Center hosts a Low Vision Resource Group on the third Monday of each month. The meetings are held in the Oak Ridge Senior Center D Room at 1405 Oak Ridge Turnpike.
The group is for those who have vision issues and would like to feel more confident and to regain independence.
This month's speaker is Sarah Gardner, Rehabilitation Instructor, Independent Living Program, Tennessee Blind and Visually-Impaired Services. She helps anyone in the Knoxville area adapt their homes and learn how to do the things they used to be able to do before vision loss. She will talk about the program, how to get services, and what she does for her clients.
The group is also looking for volunteers who can provide transportation to those wanting to attend. If you need transportation or can volunteer to drive someone, please contact one of the co-leaders of the group, Marian Wildgruber (865) 323-2877 or Marty Adler-Jasny (865) 806-6829.
Like the Oak Ridge Senior Center on Facebook, check our website at oakridgeseniorcenter.com, or give us a call at (865) 425-3999 for more information about this or other programs offered at the Oak Ridge Senior Center.
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The City of Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will hold its Annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 1, 2022, beginning at 6 p.m. in A.K. Bissell Park.
The event will kick off at the outdoor, A.K. Bissell Park Secret City Commemorative Walk on the east side of the Oak Ridge Public Library parking area for a brief ceremony beginning with the tree lighting.
Following the Tree Lighting, participants will proceed to the A.K. Pavilion where there will be seasonal music and the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board awards ceremony. There will also be light refreshments provided by Y-12 Federal Credit Union and the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board.
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Thank You Mayor Pro Tem Rick Chinn & Councilmember Kelly Callison! | |
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November's meeting was the last City Council meeting for Mayor Pro Tem Rick Chinn and Councilmember Kelly Callison. The City of Oak Ridge thanks you for your years of service and dedication to Oak Ridgers now and for years to come.
We wish you the best of luck in your next phase
and will see you around town!
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Three new Oak Ridge Police officers recognized | |
Three new Oak Ridge Police Department Officers are patroling the City.
Isaiah Wilder, Tristen Terry and Shayne Herberger were recognized at October's City Council meeting alongside ORPD Chief Robin Smith.
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ORFD shines at TN Fire Service & Codes Enforcement Academy | | | |
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Oak Ridge Fire Department's newest firefighter Evan Beyer graduated top of his class at the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy.
He was recognized as Valedictorian of his class at graduation with ORFD Chief Travis Solomon and Assistant Chief Jody Durham and honored at November's City Council meeting by City Council with Chief Solomon and City Manager Mark Watson.
We look forward to seeing the great things Firefighter Beyer and Officers Wilder, Terry and Herberge do here in Oak Ridge.
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The Oak Ridge Fire Department provides in-home assistance with smoke alarm installation and home escape planning year-round. In October, educational programs are conducted within our school system to increase awareness of the importance of fire prevention and safety.
Home fire escape planning and drills are an essential part of fire safety. Your home fire escape plan needs to be developed and practiced before a fire strikes. Make sure you include the following when practicing your plan:
- Push the smoke alarm button to start the drill
- Practice what to do in case there is smoke: Get low and go. Get out fast.
- Practice using different ways out and closing doors behind you as you leave
- Never go back for people, pets, or things
- Go to your outdoor meeting place
- Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from a cell phone or a neighbor’s phone
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Turkey temptation: to fry or not to fry?
Home fires involving cooking equipment increase during the holiday season. If you plan to deep-fry your holiday bird, be sure you know how to safely use the fryer, and take these precautions to protect yourself, your guests, and your home:
- Never leave the fryer unattended. It’s a two-person job at minimum.
- Set up a safe distance from anything you don’t want to see engulfed in flames. No decks, garages, coverings, or overhangs.
- Rain or snow is a no-go. Precipitation causes splatters and flareups.
- Don't fry a frozen bird. Defrost and thoroughly dry your bird, its cavity and exterior should be completely clean.
- Be exact with the oil, accounting for the size and weight of your turkeys. Peanut oil is used for its high smoke point. At 350 degrees, it’s as flammable as gasoline. At 400 degrees, it goes rancid. If you see smoke, you’re overheating.
If you have any further questions about frying safety or fire safety in general, give the Oak Ridge Fire Department a call at (865) 425-3520.
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We had so much fun seeing everyone's costumes at our Monster Mash Bash last month!
The annual event was a blast and we're already looking forward to next year.
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Senior Center drop-in
Trick or Treat
The Oak Ridge Senior Center was a place of fun, food and friendship on October 28, 2022, during their second annual Halloween “Drop in Trick or Treat.” For the almost one hundred in attendance, there was a variety of events to enjoy and pictures were taken in front of the unique Halloween decorations including a life-size Frankenstein, ghost and ghoul.
A door prize was drawn from all attendees’ names and other prizes were awarded to those who came in costume. The major entertainment was showing a Halloween Disney cartoon. Popcorn was available along with hot apple cider, “fancy coffee” and treat bags. One special treat was that everyone could choose a “full-size” candy bar. This stirred a memory of how it was very special to receive a full-size bar during their younger years of trick or treating.
Helping the Senior Center Staff to make this a special program and great success were two volunteers. Ashley Draper, who is with the Anderson County UT Extension as program assistant, and Tonya Sharp the Community relations coordinator with Nuclear Care Partners.
Several other special programs are being planned for the next few months. Be sure to check the Oak Ridge Senior Center's website for upcoming events.
There is always a wide variety of activities going on at the Senior Center. Reserving a space is encouraged for ping pong, ukulele lessons, ballroom dancing, bingo, pool, exercise classes, pickleball, chess, pinochle, bridge, mahjongg, book club and “lunch and learn” sessions.
Come join the fun.
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Storybook Trail
now open!
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held last month for the new Storybook Trail in Oak Ridge.
Located along the walking path near the creek in A. K. Bissell park, this permanent installation features the book Over in the Forest: Come and take a peek by Marianne Berkes.
Thanks to a grant from the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation as well as the hard work of the Oak Ridge Public Library staff and the City of Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department, the storybook trail is designed to foster a love of reading, imagination, movement, and the outdoors.
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Many people in our community live with financial hardship, especially amid the holidays. With your support, help is available to those in need through Project SAFE, which stands for Special Assistance Fund for Energy.
Project SAFE helps customers with energy emergencies, not ongoing needs. It is based on the concept that small donations from caring people each month can build a fund large enough to help those in genuine need. Each request for emergency funds is reviewed by our partner, Aid to Distressed Families for Appalachian Counties (ADFAC), to ensure a fair distribution to qualifying people who need temporary assistance.
Instructions for signing up are located on the back of your utility statement, or a customer service representative would be happy to help you at (865) 425-3400. If you are in need of emergency assistance and live in Anderson or Roane County, please contact ADFAC at (865) 483-6028.
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DID YOU KNOW? You can request to stop billing on your irrigation system for the winter months online.
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Visit: customerservice.oakridgetn.gov
- Click on: Contact Us
- Type of Inquiry: Contact Us
- Complete the form
IMPORTANT: Please be sure to include your service address and account number.
Click: Submit Request
PLEASE NOTE: This will only stop billing on the irrigation
system, it does not winterize the equipment.
To leave a request on contact us, you are not required to set up a user account. For questions or more information, you can contact my friends at the Utility Business Office by phone at (865) 425-3400.
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Oak Ridge Public Works'
Gene Wilson
Gene was the City of Oak Ridge Public Works Employee of the Month for September 2022!
His coworkers and managers say he's always willing to help anyone with a problem and put in the extra work where necessary.
"Gene works very well with everyone and has developed the trust of his guys and they in return trust and look up to him," Utilities Operations and Maintenance Manager Richard Irwin said. "Gene stays on top of getting material for the water crews even though it’s not really his job but he wants to be sure we have everything we need to keep the water system going."
Gene's efforts to educate and guide fellow employees has helped mold the Utilities Operation and Maintenance team into much more than just a productive group but one of extraordinary capabilities, according to his coworkers.
Congratulations to Gene and thank you for everything you are doing to make Oak Ridge a better place to work and for making sure things run smoothly so we can better serve Oak Ridgers.
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