Town accepts temporary road, hopes to proceed with paving
By David Meade
Williamston Mayor Mack Durham started the town council meeting stating the town is dealing with a “difficult situation that nobody likes. We will work through it. The temporary road is not holding up to the traffic demands of the neighborhood.” Durham said the town is trying to keep the graded road passable with help from Anderson County.
“Heavy equipment was brought in to smooth the road and get it in better shape, but the rain is causing problems,” the mayor said. “It is not a good situation. We are aware it’s not a good situation.”
A group of about ten residents from Gatewood attended the meeting and signed up for public comments. Barry Sammons was first to speak, stating he was the elected group spokesperson. Sammons said the residents would like to meet with town officials to discuss the issues with the temporary road. He said they would like to have it paved and make a requirement that no 18-wheelers be allowed to use the road or enter the subdivision except for the sludge removal truck when necessary.
Sammons also said if the main entrance is repaired, the residents still want no 18 wheelers to be allowed in their community.
In response, the mayor said he has met with Anderson County Transportation Committee (ACTC) and said he would like to get the residents to agree to pave the roadway.
Durham said the town will be accepting it as a local roadway during their meeting and will try to hold a public meeting to approve second reading on Nov. 16.
By accepting the temporary road as a muncipal road, Durham said the town can use the ACTC funding already approved for the Gatewood entrance project to pave the temporary roadway and reapply in July for new funding to replace the Mill St. entranceway into Gatewood.
“They will not fund the FEMA hydrology study. It should have been sent to the county when they built the subdivision,” Durham said.
Sammons replied that the residents were in favor of paving the road and he also requested the police department be allowed into the community.
Durham said, “I really appreciate the integrity of the neighborhood and the dialog. I cannot tell you how much it means that we are having a conversation.”
“It is our intention to get it done as quickly as possible,” the mayor said, “to make the December deadline.”
Several other Gatewood residents spoke during the discussion. One stated that the asphalt plant will be closing in December and that the paving needed to be done by then.
Others expressed concerns about getting stuck on the unpaved temporary road which has been affected by recent heavy rains.
One resident repeatedly said that the mayor and town keep saying they are doing all they can about the situation, but there is no action or assurance. He wanted to know if the paving will be done and if there is a back up plan if it doesn’t.
A Williamston volunteer firefighter said he had concerns about his wife and children being able to get in and out of the subdivision. He also expressed concerns about whether a firetruck could get into the subdivision if necessary.
“If we have a fire, a firetruck will bog down. I’m concerned,” he said. “My wife and my child, their safety is my main concern.”
Stating is was just a formality, Councilman Rockey Burgess asked if it would be appropriate to make a motion in favor of paving the temporary road.
Even if the town approved first reading on a resolution accepting it as a muncipal roadway, Town Attorney Lee Cole said the town must have a second reading on the resolution to accept it.
Mayor Durham said, “It is really important to accept it as a requirement of the ACTC before they can allocate money for paving.”
Durham said, “I will call a special meeting of Council next Tuesday evening to have second reading of our ordinance to accept this roadway as a local road and entertain a resolution to request that ACTC pave this roadway.”
“I can’t promise, but I will do everything I can. I think the ACTC and Anderson County understands the urgency.” Durham said ACTC chairman Ronnie Townsend told him, “We want to do everything we can to help the town of Williamston.”
There was some discussion about restricting trucks in the subdivision, after which Mayor Durham asked the town attorney to draw up an ordinance to restrict 18-wheeler traffic, except what is necessary, thru the neighborhood
There was also some discussion whether school buses could travel the road.
Williamston Police Chief Tony Taylor offered the use of a Hummer the department has to help with the situation at Gatewood.
He said the vehicle could be available to help pull out a stuck vehicle or to help transport someone if necessary.
Later in the meeting, Council did approve first reading on an ordinance to dedicate the temporary road as a new road to be known as “Ridge Court Extention” and to accept it into the municpal road system of the town. (See seperate story)
