Ryan Reed
Ryan Reed ROAD SUPERVISOR

Description

Fentress County Highway Department maintains roads that are listed as a county approved road. This includes patching, grading, ditch-lining, mowing, sign maintenance, and improvements.

Address

527 Fairgrounds Rd
PO BOX 825
Jamestown, TN 38556

Phone

931-879-7913

Fax

931-879-4862

FAQ

A: The highway department does not receive any of your property tax. The Highway Department receives a portion of the gas and motor fuel tax which is administered by the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Tennessee’s fuel taxes were last raised in 1989. Drivers in Tennessee currently pay 21.4 cents per gallon of gas and 18.4 cents per gallon of diesel.
We also receive a portion of the mineral severance which is collected and distributed by the Tennessee Department of Revenue. The mineral severance tax is a tax levied on sand, gravel, sandstone, chert, and limestone sold in Fentress County.
As you can see there has not been an increase in fuel tax since 1989, vehicles are getting better mileage and therefore not using as much.fuel. At the same time the cost of supplies and materials has tripled, leaving us with less money to maintain the roads.

A: There is not a program that pays for gravel for driveways. The Chief Administrative Officer (Road Supervisor) must not authorize or knowingly permit the trucks or road equipment, rock, crushed stone or any other road material to be used for any private use or for the use of any individual for private purposes. A violation of this provision is a Class C misdemeanor. T.C.A § 5-7-116.

A: An exception to the law provides that the county legislative body may authorize the road department to perform work for other government entities, if the cost is reimbursed to the road department. T.C.A § 54-7-202.

A: A brown road sign means the road is a private road and not maintained by the highway department. A blue sign is a public road. A green sign is supposed to go on a road that has been accepted by the county commission and is on the county road list. County highway department is only permitted to work on county roads

A: Yes, we can if the cemetery is on a county road. No, we cannot if the cemetery is not on a county road.

A: No that is private property. A violation of this provision is a Class C misdemeanor. T.C.A § 5-7-116.

A: No, but if you furnish the culvert and the driveway is coming off a county road, then we will install, when we are in the area, and put gravel over the top of the culvert.

A: No. The Chief Administrative Officer (Road Supervisor) must not authorize or knowingly permit the trucks or road equipment, rock, crushed stone or any other road material to be used for any private use or for the use of any individual for private purposes. A violation of this provision is a Class C misdemeanor. T.C.A § 5-7-116.

A: The highway department installs both regulatory and warning signs on county roads. Solid waste installs street name signs.

A: We only remove them if they are in the road creating a safety hazard to drivers.

A: Gravel roads can be troublesome in winter. Frozen ground cannot be graded, and snow or ice removal and snow plowing are all more difficult. Salt cannot be used on gravel roads because it soaks in and will not bond to the gravel surface. This will create a mud problem.

A: Throughout the winter months, county crews will be out clearing the roads during and after snowfalls. At the same time residents are clearing their driveways. Many times while this is going on, a snowplow truck will go by and fill in the end of a freshly cleared driveway with snow from the road, causing frustration and more clearing for residents. Please understand that the county’s first priority is the safety of the traveling public and clearing the roads of snow and ice and pushing it off of the road and shoulders, and sometimes into driveways, is a necessary wintertime evil.

A: When the pavement temperature drops below 15°F the effectiveness of salt is decreased significantly.

A: Maintenance of access for postal delivery is the mail customers’ responsibility.

A: In years past, it was common to spread used engine oil to hold down dust, but this threatens the environment and is now illegal. Keep in mind
that anything sprayed on a road surface can enter water supplies through wind or water erosion.

A: No, it is illegal to put gravel on private property. T.C.A § 5-7-116. Please call the Board of Education.