Each month when Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland is on WGNS, he receives a steady stream of phonecalls from area residents. Many take research for the correct answer. Here are the mayor's responses to the September questions that needed input from other sources:

1. Tire store on the corner of Bridge and New Salem Highway has tires out everywhere....is that allowed? Assistant City Manager Jennifer Moody responded, "We are familiar with the site but will need to investigate it further to determine if it is allowed or if there is a potential zoning or codes violation."
   
   
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   Director of Building Code Robert Holtz notes, "We have sent him a violation notice for open storage. This notice only covers tires that are not for sale. He has agreed to dispose of them. The fenced in area is also full of tires. We told them that tires cannot extend above the fence. Currently they are very close. We are also working with (Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department) Fire to possibly take more action on how many tires he has for sale and the proximity that are to the building."
   
   
2. Turning lanes on Mercury Blvd? Assistant City Manager Jennifer Moody responded, "Mercury Blvd (US Highway 70S) was built by TDOT as a four-lane divided highway with median openings. As part of new development and/or re-development, turn lane requirements were evaluated and built (example at Patterson Center, Middle Tennessee Blvd, Dill Lane etc.)"
   
   
   
3. River Rock Blvd...Verizon and OTP repaving? Assistant City Manager Jennifer Moody responded, "Regarding the repaving of River Rock Blvd, we are experiencing subgrade failures along the area in question. Instead of only replacing the asphalt surface, we are investigating options to repair the entire pavement section and address any subgrade problems. Our geotechnical consultant will do a limited study to better define the failures that are occurring. Once we have the results of the study, we'll determine a cost effective repair to the roadway. We anticipate the repaving to be complete by the end of the summer, 2018."
   
   
4. Why is there a red light @ Tiger Hill and 231 behind the Walmart? Murfreesboro Traffic Engineer Ram Balachandran responded, "As part of the Walmart Project traffic impact study, the traffic signal at Tiger Hill was warranted based on existing and projected traffic volumes. Based on the trip distribution, the traffic signal at Tiger Hill has taken most of the left turning traffic (heading south on S. Church St) and some right turning traffic from the intersection of S. Church St and Joe B Jackson Pkwy which is currently at capacity. As a side note, the traffic signal at Tiger Hill is fully actuated and as such, the signal will only serve the side street when there is a call. I have also programed-in a priority for the traffic on S. Church St by placing a delay on the side street so that the signal doesn't go back and forth unnecessarily. Please let me know if you need additional information on the operation of the traffic signal."

Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland is on the WGNS Action Line radio broadcast every second Wednesday morning from 8:10-9:00AM. Tune to AM 1450, FM 100.5, FM 101.9 or www.WGNSradio.com.