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Municipal Consultant Says Nashville Split On Mandatory Masks

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Dax Norton

Nashville's Municipal Consultant Dax Norton (Zoom)

Brown County is seeing an increase of positive COVID-19 cases. We talk about the debate over mandatory masks, more on the current mask ordinance, a new drive-through testing site opens, and master sewer plans are underway.

On this week’s installment of Ask The Mayor, Nashville's Norton addresses these issues and more. Listen to the full conversation with Indiana Newsdesk anchor Joe Hren by clicking on the play button above, or read some of the questions and answers below. A portion of this segment airs 6:45 and 8:45 a.m. Wednesday on WFIU.

This conversation has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

Hren: If you look at the chart there’s a spike from July 3 to today – 40 cases to 54, similar from the end of April, but it’s a trend most places, we know the governor delayed a full reopening, what’s Nashville doing?

Norton: So people are shopping, people are visiting. Last Thursday, the council had a nearly four hour meeting. And majority of that four hours was to discuss face coverings. There was a face covering ordinance back in June. It was kind of tabled or died. The council at that point back in June said let's let the business owners post a sign and they can control the face covering destiny instead of a complete and comprehensive mandate from the town government. That was revisited last Thursday.

And what the council in much discussion - they definitely got it from both sides. You know, the council is elected by the residents first so they know that they represent the residents and then they represent business owners who bring the revenue into the town and pay for services. I think they did a relatively good compromise.

What that compromise was is basically support those business owners that have stated with signage that it is required to wear a mask for you to shop in their facilities. Council passed an ordinance it really doesn't have any enforcement in their ordinance. We basically said was there's already enforcement as somebody comes in refuses to wear a mask or refuses to leave. You know, you can call the police department for for criminal trespass but the council wanted to definitely back that up with an ordinance.

There's still some discussion about whether there should be a comprehensive face covering ordinance? How would that be enforced? Should it include people walking outside? I think they debated very well, last Thursday night. And like I said, they considered all sides. And then they passed what they passed. There's still some council members who'd like a little more comprehensive ordinance with some strict enforcement, if you will. And I think at the end of the day, they've done a good job of listening to both sides to create a policy that we will definitely be monitoring on a daily basis.

READ MORE: Monroe County Issues Order Requiring Face Masks

Hren: Can you explain a little more to the side of why not have a town wide mask ordinance, especially with people being drawn to a tourist town from all over?

Norton:  I think the council did a good job of seeking the opinion of residents. And at the end of the day, it was about 50/50. As a matter of fact there were more businesses that did not want a comprehensive mandate than did want a comprehensive mandate. And so the council just kind of put all that together and compromised on this, backing up the businesses that did want some kind of backup if they posted signage that you're supposed to have a mask on.

There was a lot of debate about people wearing masks outside. You know, how do you enforce that, is it even enforceable from a public safety perspective, is it enforceable through the health department? And with the very limited resources that a place like the town of Nashville has, or Brown County, for that matter, it is a very difficult thing to enforce.

But Nashville, we know shops are open. They need people to come shop, but they need people to do it responsibly is what we're saying. Please be responsible. Understand that you're protecting your fellow man from yourself. It's a mask. It's just part of what we do now. Please come and enjoy your time in Nashville. Please come do what you would always have.

Hren: Just a quick question on hospitalizations. I know they're up everywhere. Is the medical protocol still the same in Nashville? Any issues?

Norton: No, I don't think anything has changed. Now there is testing at the Music Center. It's a pretty rapid turnaround as well. So very good testing. In Brown County, I think they're urging people that, you know, if you feel you need to be tested, please go and do so. Tests seem to be lagging a little bit around counting from a percentage of population compared to the rest of the state. So, you know, to absolutely have be tested to know for sure. That way. We can also help contain it and do any contact tracing that needs to be done.

Hren: The town is working on master sewer plans – this was before the pandemic, looking at growth, updates, and there’s mandates. Are there critical areas now you’re looking at?

Norton: Well, the plant is first so, the current size of the plant, will be able to handle any kind of capacity issue due to growth. So that'll be first and then you have to look outward. For the money, that will be a public meeting, the council will probably at their next council meeting have that on the agenda for the public to come in. There will be a presentation on the master plan, prior PowerPoint and the public can provide input. You're probably looking into September for final approval, maybe even October of that draft master plan. 

For the latest news and resources about COVID-19, bookmark our Coronavirus In Indiana page here.

Want to contact your legislators about an issue that matters to you? Find out how to contact your senators and member of Congress here.

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