Frequently Asked Questions

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In its pure form, natural gas is odorless. We add a harmless odorizing agent that produces a distinctive, strong smell that reminds some of sulfur or rotten eggs. This makes it possible for you to detect even a small leak.

Use caution! A natural gas leak can cause an explosion if ignited by a spark. If you smell gas in your home, leave your house immediately and call our emergency service number (615-388-0997, City of Portland Natural Gas On-Call Phone Number), or 615-451-3838 or 911 from another location such as a neighbor's house.

For your own safety, remember these rules in the event you smell gas:

• Do not use your electric garage door opener to leave your house. Any motorized appliance could spark, igniting the natural gas
• Do not use your phone to call us unless you are outside and away from your house. Using any type of telephone could ignite the leaking gas
• Do not turn any light switches or other electrical devices on or off. Anything electrical, even something as small as a thermostat, may cause a spark and ignite leaking gas
• Do not try to re-light the pilot light. Leave gas furnaces, water heaters and other gas appliances alone until you are certain that it is safe
• Do not smoke cigarettes or light candles. Using a lighter or a match could ignite the leaking gas

Once you are safely away from the building, call the City of Portland Gas Department or emergency services immediately:

• Between the hours of 8 am to 4:30 pm, call 615-325-6776
• After 4:30 pm or on weekends please contact one of the following:
  • On-Call Gas Phone: 615-388-0997
  • Phone: 615-451-3838
  • 911

If you hit or contact a gas line in any way, inform the City of Portland immediately at 615-325-6776 or 615-388-0997 (gas on-call phone). A gouge, scrape, scratch, dent or crease to a pipe or its coating may cause a future safety problem. It is imperative that City of Portland gas crew inspects and repairs any damage to our pipeline, no matter how minor it may seem.

When it comes to the safety of you or anyone else near a gas main leak, it is important to know the procedures you should take when someone has damaged a gas line or when you suspect a gas leak. If you or anyone else accidentally damages or suspects a gas leak on a City of Portland Natural Gas System, follow the procedures below:

• Leave the area immediately and warn others to stay away
• If you suspect your excavation equipment has struck a gas line, do not attempt to move the equipment. Shut the equipment off and leave the area
• Once away from the gas leak, call City of Portland at 615-325-6776, or after 4:30 pm call 615-388-0997 (gas on-call phone), or 911

City Hall can provide a form in person or you may download the form online then send the form by mail, email or drop off in person at city hall. Complete instructions are on the Open Records Request page under the Government Tab.

https://cityofportlandtn.gov/286/Open-Records-Request

The form has you choose either by inspection or copy/duplicate.

No, there is not a public notary available at the City Office.

If they were grown on your property, you can but you will need a burn permit.

https://cityofportlandtn.gov/160/Burn-Permit 

The batteries in a normal smoke detector should be replaced every 6 months. If you need smoke detectors call 615-325-5649 if you live inside the city limits and 615-323-0008 if you live outside the city limits 

https://cityofportlandtn.gov/348/Smoke-Alarms

All our personnel are certified as an Emergency Medical Responder or higher and we respond with Sumner EMS to provide initial patient care of medical emergencies.

The City of Portland Fire Dept. requires an individual to be 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent and a valid driver’s license. We can provide the training to become a certified Firefighter as well as Emergency Medical Responder 

https://cityofportlandtn.gov/158/Fire

Yes, your blood pressure can be checked at the fire station provided the crew is there at the time. There are 2 fire halls. Fire Hall 1 is located at 111 Woods Rd Portland, TN 37148. Fire Hall 2 is located 924 S Broadway Portland, TN 37148. 

2018 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC)

To schedule a public education event please call 615-325-6776 ext. 301. 

https://cityofportlandtn.gov/158/Fire

Stormwater runoff is the water that flows off roofs, driveways, parking lots, streets and other impervious surfaces during rain events. It is also the rain that flows off grass surfaces and wooded areas that is not absorbed into the soil and pours into ditches, culverts, catch basins and storm sewers. Stormwater runoff does not receive treatment before entering streams, lakes and other waterways.

 https://cityofportlandtn.gov/394/Stormwater-Department

Water from rain or melting snow either seeps into the ground or runs off to lower areas while making its way to streams, lakes and other water bodies. On its way, runoff water can pick up and carry many substances that pollute water. Examples of common pollutants include fertilizers, pesticides, pet waste, sediment, oil, salt, trace metals, grass clippings, leaves and litter. Polluted stormwater runoff can be generated anywhere people use or alter the land, such as farms, yards, roofs, driveways, construction sites and roadways.

 https://cityofportlandtn.gov/394/Stormwater-Department

Municipalities across the United States and in Tennessee, including White House, Goodlettsville, Springfield, Gallatin, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Smyrna and Nashville to name a few, have implemented a stormwater utility fee. 

https://cityofportlandtn.gov/394/Stormwater-Department

No. The stormwater fee is not a tax. Taxes are based on the value of the property. The stormwater fee is assessed based on the amount of impervious surface on the property (i.e., roofs, driveways, parking lots) which is directly related to the amount of runoff the property produces. The runoff generated by these impervious surfaces contributes to flooding problems and potential pollutants. Therefore, all property owners should pay their share of the costs.  

https://cityofportlandtn.gov/394/Stormwater-Department

You can call the City of Portland Stormwater Department at 615-323-9293. We will investigate your concern and see if there is anything we can do to help. However, it is important to note the Stormwater Department does not operate outside of Public Utility and Drainage Easements (P.U.D.E) or rights-of-way. Flooding concerns outside of those areas on private property is the responsibility of the property owner. We can offer suggestions that may alleviate the issue if we cannot physically perform the work ourselves.

 https://cityofportlandtn.gov/394/Stormwater-Department

Individual property owners own the portion of the stormwater system that may be on their property. This can include detention areas, swales or other stormwater control measures. The City owns the stormwater system that is on City-owned property or in rights-of-way.

 https://cityofportlandtn.gov/394/Stormwater-Department

As precipitation falls on undeveloped areas, it is primarily absorbed in the ground or slowly runs offs into streams, rivers and other water bodies with a much lower risk of picking up pollutants. Development of land resulting in more impervious surface (rooftops, driveways, parking lots, etc.) prevents water from being absorbed and creates a faster rate and amount of runoff. This development has the potential to cause flooding or water-quality issues if not properly managed. 

https://cityofportlandtn.gov/394/Stormwater-Department

https://www.cityofportlandtn.gov/206/Human-Resource or fill out application at city hall.

No.

CodeRED is a web-based critical communication solution that enables local public safety personnel to notify residents and businesses by telephone, text message, email, and social media of time-sensitive information, emergencies, or urgent notifications.

Any message regarding the safety of our residents and community will be disseminated using CodeRED.

There is to cost to register for CodeRED. You can register anytime at https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BFB7CC4C6C0A

City Council members are not elected to represent districts, as the City of Portland is not divided into districts. Any member of City Council is the representative for any citizen. City Council members’ names and contact information can be found here:

 https://cityofportlandtn.gov/277/City-Council

The persons elected as City Councilman/woman shall, before assuming the duties of their respective offices, take an oath or affirmation before the Mayor in office, a Notary Public, the City Recorder, or some Justice of the Peace of Sumner County, Tennessee, that they will support the Constitution of the United States and the State of Tennessee and the charter and ordinances of the City, and to demean themselves in their official capacity faithfully, honestly, and with due regard to the welfare of the City, to the best of their ability. The (Mayor and) Aldermen shall hold their office until their successor shall be elected and installed. The (Mayor and the) members of the City Council are officers of the City, and they, by majority vote, shall appoint the other officers of the City, being the City Recorder, the City Attorney, and the City Judge, whenever there is a vacancy. The affirmative vote of a majority of all the members of the City Council present, except where prescribed, shall be necessary to adopt any ordinance or resolution of the city, and every ordinance or resolution passed by the city council shall be signed by the presiding officer and the City Recorder, and shall be filed with the City Recorder. The City Council shall have the power to call, regulate and provide for all municipal elections, including all elections respecting bond issues; that all elections held under this charter shall be held and supervised by the Election Commissioners of Sumner County, Tennessee, or such other person or persons as may be authorized to hold State and County elections. In any election under this charter all voters who are residents of the city and are qualified under State Law may vote in the city election. That any person convicted of malfeasance in office, a felony, or crime involving moral turpitude shall be prohibited from holding office with the city for a period of ten (10) years thereafter. If (the mayor or) any alderman (AKA council member) shall be convicted of any such offense. The City Council may, by ordinance or resolution not inconsistent with this charter, prescribe the manner in which all powers of the City shall be exercised, provide all means necessary or proper therefore, and do all things needful within or without the City or the State to protect the rights of the City. The City Council shall exercise its powers in session duly assembled, and no member nor group of members shall exercise or attempt to exercise the powers conferred upon the City Council except through proceedings adopted at some regular or special meeting.

https://cityofportlandtn.gov/277/City-Council