By David Meade
During their meeting Monday, Williamston Town Council approved second reading on changes to the current budget and approved a new budget as well as hearing department reports and public comments.
Council heard from several people representing Pelzer regarding an annexation move by the town. (See separate story)
Council also heard from Gatewood resident Matt Johnson who raised issues with the town and mayor and encouraged people to vote yes on the change of government referendum. Johnson expressed concerns about the town employee raise being put into effect before the budget amendment was voted on and complained of a lack of support for Gatewood residents.
He also questioned the town’s budgeting and accounting and said there should be an ethics review by the governor’s office. He also asked for the mayor’s impeachment.
Former town employee Randy Woodson addressed council.
Woodson compared the mayor’s $9600 salary with the $50,000 plus benefits a town administrator would make if they had one running the town. “We’ve already seen that doesn’t work,” he said.
Woodson then said councilman Rockey Burgess continually puts the mayor down and bullies others, yet the town is in the best financial shape it has been in and that a much needed raise was given to town employees. He also made comments addressed to Councilman Scott and stated the reason they are not being informed by the mayor is “they don’t hear what they are told.”
Woodson questioned a property purchase in which Burgess was involved and accused him of using his position for personal gain. (Editor’s note – a state ethics commission opinion ruled in favor of Burgess on the issue)
Woodson asked Burgess if town employees cleaned up the property. Councilman Burgess and Scott then began making comments in response to Woodson.
During his department report, Police Chief Tony Taylor made a statement apparently in reference to the issue of a political sign that has been in the spotlight for about two weeks and enforcement of the town’s sign ordinance.
Taylor stated that the mayor is responsible for the budget and hiring and firing.
And that actions on some issues by the mayor or his department could be mis-interpreted by the community. Taylor said in some instances outside agencies are called in to investigate a situation.
Taylor used the examples of an incident involving a Williamston police officer in which SLED was called in to investigate and another involving councilman Scott in which Anderson County Sheriff’s Office was called in.
“We are dealing with an ordinance and no other agency will act on a city ordinance,” he said. “Because of the conflict of interest I am asking the planning commission to take a look at it.”
Taylor went on to say, “I am by no means the mayor’s strong arm. We are here to serve the community. I didn’t take an oath to serve the mayor or council.”
Main Street Executive Director Sonya Crandall reported that the advisory board had met and are working on a strategic action plan.
The organization is in the process of changing their name to reflect a much broader reach and inclusiveness. Crandall said it will continue to be a “Main Street” program, but with planning for the entire community not just the downtown and Main Street. Crandall said a new logo is being introduced.
She said the organization is working on a draft work plan to cover the next two to three years and individual committees are in the process of setting priorities.
She also reported that revised bylaws are being written and the organization is working on how to compliement the GWBA.
Crandall said they are implementing some projects which were already approved including wayfinding signs and working on gateway entrances.
They will also be participating in Party in the Park with a booth and will conduct a survey during the event.
They are also working on economic develpoement and the community master plan, Crandall said.
In other business, Council unanimously apporoved July 1 as the date for the change in the form of government to take effect if it passes next Tuesday.
Council unanimously approved second reading amending the current budget to reflect expenditures of $113,800 for nine items last month.
Items being purchased with funds from the town’s hospitality tax include: a police ATV, parks and recreation maintenance items, Brookdale Park improvements and painting town hall.
Items being paid from the town’s General Fund include: a shed for Gray Drive park, a new phone system for town hall and a used garbage truck.
The budget amendment also allows for two items already in effect prior to being voted on, an across the board five percent salary increase for town employees and $1500 for repair work done on the creek bank.
Council unanimously approved second reading on the 2015-16 budget. There was no discussion and no public hearing conducted. Councilmembers and department heads had several budget work sessions with the mayor over the last two months, including one held on Friday.
The town’s General Fund budget shows revenues of $2,830,373 with expenditures of $2,830,373.
Council unanimously approved Chris Alexander as an appointee to the town’s planning commission.
No action was taken on naming a town municipal judge. Resumes are still being accepted.
Council approved a resolution recognizing Municipal Judge Sherman Woodson for his service. Woodson is retiring but will remain in the position through June.
Council began entertaining the annexation of certain properties but went into executive session with property owners for legal advice.
Upon returning to open session, council unanimously approved the ribbon or strip annexation of a 10 ft. section of 12 properties. (See separate story) A 13th property was added with an amendment. There was practically no discussion.
Council then unanimously approved the strip anenxaton on the 13 properties as amended.
During council comments, Councilman Burgess responded to allegations made during the public comments portion of the meeting,
Burgess said he owns property in the town which he pays $3672 in taxes annually on and stated that he does not forfeit his right for trash and C&D pickup by the town. “The town did not clean my property up,” he stated.
