The city of Cullman addressed a number of resident complaints it received regarding train whistles interrupting last weekend’s Oktoberfest festivities during its council meeting on Monday, Oct. 2.

Mayor Woody Jacobs personally sympathized with the complaints while detailing the time he spent living in close proximity to a train crossing at the townhomes on Birmingham Street.

“It’ll rattle the walls when they come through there and lay down on that horn,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs said conductors are required by law to blow the train whistle when approaching any intersection which does not meet the minimum safety specifications. He said the city has already planned to upgrade three crossings — at 8th St. NE, Arnold St. NE and 9th St. SE — within the city limits to qualify as “quiet zones” which would only require a whistle be sounded under specific circumstances.

Jacobs also said during a recent meeting with the Alabama Department of Transportation and CSX, city officials were informed that there were also plans from the two groups to upgrade the crossing at Kind Edward St. and suggested the city’s proposal be resubmitted to include the fourth crossing.

“Now there will be four signals, which is pretty much the main part of town, that because they are upgrading those safety standards a lot of times they won’t blow that whistle,” Jacobs said.

In other business the council:

• Approved a special event request from Greg Speegle of Cullman Moose Lodge for the Annual Turkey Shoot every Saturday morning in November and December.
• Approved a special event request from Amanda Garrison of Sonic Drive-In for Cruise-In’s on Compass Way SW on Oct. 13, Nov. 10 and Dec. 8.
• Approved a special event request from The Ling of Cullman for a Trunk or Treat with Community Meal on Oct. 26.
• Proclaimed Wednesday, Oct. 18 as Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day.
• Passed a resolution to continue supporting the Cullman City School Board and their on-going capital improvement plan.
• Held the first readings to annex properties located on County Roads 1180 and 702 as R-1 residential.