AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | VOL. 7, ISSUE 7 | |
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OAK RIDGE!? | |
It's been a busy summer in Oak Ridge! Here's a look at what went down in August and September as we gear up for October! | |
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City of Oak Ridge facilities are reimplementing additional COVID-19 safety measures amid the rise in cases and spread due to the Delta variant. All City of Oak Ridge residents are urged to wear masks, practice social distancing, and get vaccinated.
A review of all City departments and services has been conducted. The following is a summary of various services.
Departmental services are continuing. City officials strongly urge citizens to conduct their business electronically, over the phone, and by mail whenever possible. If you need to reach a department, call the number listed below for each department or click here for a list of all departments. Please call the City Manager’s office or department offices on the City’s website for further information.
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The City of Oak Ridge has named Patrick Berge as its new Public Works Director.
Berge, who previously served as Oak Ridge Public Works Utility Manager, has served as Interim Public Director since former Director Shira McWaters passed away in June.
He has overseen all water and wastewater operations since 2018. He will now assume all Public Works operations including streets, stormwater, and engineering.
“As the next Public Works Director, I’m looking forward to continuing Shira’s hard work. Public Works has many major projects in progress, our biggest one being the new water plant.”
Among Berge’s many certifications, he is a Professional Engineer of Environmental Engineering in both the State of Tennessee and State of Nebraska.
“I have been extremely impressed with Patrick Berge as he has picked up the Public Works reins and professionally responded to difficult situations. His leadership has been supported by Public Works employees and the department is eager to support him during a very busy time for major projects within the City of Oak Ridge,” said Oak Ridge City Manager Dr. Mark Watson.
Berge previously worked with the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality as a Program Specialist and with the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, as an associate engineer. He also worked for Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) as an Engineer in operations.
He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering in 2005 and completed his Master’s in Environmental Engineering in 2006.
Berge was sworn in at the September 13 City Council meeting.
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Oak Ridge Schools held the grand opening for the Oak Ridge Schools' Scarboro Preschool on July 27.
The school opened in July 2020, but COVID-19 concerns delayed the grand opening.
Inside, you'll find new plaques honoring Scarboro community leaders and educators who were instrumental in the Oak Ridge 85's integration of Oak Ridge High School and Robertsville Junior High School in 1955.
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The Oak Ridge Land Bank (ORLB) is accepting proposals to develop Downtown Oak Ridge.
The ORLB, representing the community interest with respect to the development of a downtown district, has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purchase and development of property in accordance with the adopted ‘vision’ for this district.
The ORLB is offering approximately 6.5 acres of prime, vacant property at the eastern end of the development corridor. This highly-visible and accessible location has direct access to the Oak Ridge Turnpike, Rutgers Avenue, Wilson Street, and Main Street East. A full array of utilities, sufficient to support anticipated uses, is available throughout the properties.
The RFP is published on the City’s website. Proposals will be accepted until 3 p.m. on November 8, 2021.
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Oak Ridgers now have the option to sign up for eBill or paperless billing.
With eBill, you will receive a notification that your statement is now viewable in your online account along with the amount due and the due date.
To sign up for eBill:
Go to https://customerservice.oakridgetn.gov/
- Login to CSS or create an account
- Select the payment tab
- Choose Pay Online
- Switch “paperless” to “yes”
- Click “confirm” to confirm disclosures
If you have any further questions or need help signing up, contact the Utilities Business Office (UBO) at (865) 425-3400.
To watch a step-by-step video on how to sign up for eBill, watch below or click here.
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The City of Oak Ridge is hiring for several opportunities right now. Click the link below to see if you're the right fit for any of them!
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Oak Ridge Firefighters from Engine 1 received a plaque from SSG Chris Fairchild with the Tennessee Army National Guard and the 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in appreciation for medical support provided for a candidate selection process at Haw Ridge Park earlier this year.
We appreciate the opportunity to partner with area organizations and support the soldiers seeking an opportunity to serve in the 20th SFG.
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Oak Ridge Fire Department partners with State Fire Marshal’s Office to promote life-saving message
Saving a life in a house fire could only require something as simple as closing a door. Experts say that sleeping with a closed bedroom door could hold back flames and smoke long enough for occupants to wake up and attempt escape.
To help raise awareness of this simple but effective life-saving message, the Oak Ridge Fire Department (ORFD) partnered with the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) in the hopes of saving more lives in Tennessee.
Knox Company, a Phoenix, Arizona-based rapid access device manufacturer, has joined forces with the SFMO to provide “Close the Door” education materials to fire departments across the state. The Oak Ridge Fire Department is proud to partner with the SFMO to bring this campaign to Oak Ridge.
Closing the door reduces fire growth and spread, limits damage to your home, and could possibly save lives. A closed door can hinder flames and smoke from spreading to other rooms and can deprive a fire of the oxygen it needs to grow.
“Fires burn faster than ever,” added Oak Ridge Fire Chief Travis Solomon. “Closing your bedroom door before going to sleep could buy you crucial seconds to escape in a house fire.”
During a fire, remember:
- Close doors behind you when escaping a room/building that’s on fire
- If you are unable to escape a building that is on fire, close all doors between you and the fire; use towels or sheets to seal the door cracks and cover air vents and call the fire department to report your exact location
- Keep fire doors closed: these specialized doors are used to compartmentalize a building and prevent the spread of smoke and flames; never wedge, disable, or prop open fire doors in apartments or other buildings
The State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Oak Ridge Fire Department urge Tennesseans to have working smoke alarms inside each sleeping area, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home.
You can contact the Oak Ridge Fire Department for a free inspection and replacement of your smoke alarms at 865-425-FIRE (3473).
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The City of Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is holding a Community Jobs Fair on Friday, October 15, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.
The event will introduce students and other members of the community to possible job opportunities, resume assistance, and volunteer opportunities. The event will also serve as an excellent opportunity for vendors to meet potential employees.
The current list of vendors includes the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department Summer Camp, Oak Ridge Municipal Pools, Oak Ridge Walmart, Oakey’s Sports Grill, Centennial Golf Course, the Oak Ridge Boys and Girls Club, and Big Ed’s Pizza. Many more vendors are expected to sign up.
It is free to participate in the fair. To register as a vendor, email your business name and names of attendees to Leah Riley at lriley@oakridgetn.gov. You must pre-register in order to participate and be assigned a table.
The City of Oak Ridge will be following current CDC guidelines for COVID-19. Face coverings are strongly encouraged when interacting with anyone within 6 feet.
Attendees and vendors are asked not to enter the building if they answer YES to any of the following questions:
- Have you been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19?
- Are you experiencing a cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat?
- Have you had a fever in the last 48 hours?
- Have you had a new loss of taste or smell?
- Have you experienced vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours?
If you have any further questions, email Leah Riley at lriley@oakridgetn.gov or call (865) 425-3442.
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Lt. Governor speaks at ORPL
The Honorable Lt. Governor and State Speaker of the Senate Randy McNally, who resides in Oak Ridge, spoke during the Oak Ridge Kiwanis meeting on Aug. 10.
The meeting was in-person and virtual at the Oak Ridge Public Library Auditorium.
He discussed items of special interest such as Tennessee’s Financial Health, COVID Response, Budget, and Government activities.
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Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks has so much going on this fall, and it's all packed into this issue of RecGuide.
Stay tuned for updates as they occur. We hope you enjoy it!
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The Annual Senior Day at the Outdoor Pool held on Aug.4, 2021, was a great success.
One hundred and twenty seniors from our area came out to enjoy the Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool and have it all to themselves to enjoy, play games, and have fun.
A free snow cone to help keep everyone cool was sponsored by Woodmen Life Insurance. Additionally, a light lunch sponsored by Professional Case Management, The Groves of Oak Ridge, Patriot Hills Senior Living, Madison Insurance Group, and Regina Copeland, Anderson County Trustee was provided.
The Oak Ridge Senior Center, Walmart of Oak Ridge, along with many of these sponsors also donated door prizes. A big thanks to all the Recreation and Parks Department staff, volunteers, and sponsors who made the event possible!
If you missed the event this year make sure to keep your eye out for next year’s party around the beginning of August. You can also call at (865) 425-3999 or check out our webpage at OakRidgeSeniorCenter.com to get more information about other fun upcoming activities.
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The Outdoor Municipal Pool is now closed for the winter season.
To view indoor pool information and fees, click here.
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Did you know the Oak Ridge Public Library sends a monthly e-newsletter too?
If you subscribe, you'll receive an email that includes new services, upcoming programs, and newly added titles. You can look at the September edition here! To subscribe, just click on the top left link called "Subscribe."
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