Town annexes two properties, to purchase two more

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By David Meade

During a special called meeting Monday, Williamston Town Council approved the purchase of two tracts of property that will allow the town to make improvements related to economic development. The purchase of the properties at 209 Mauldin Street and 526 West Main Street were recommended in the town’s Community Master Plan which was completed last year.

The plan is part of a revitalization and economic development comprehensive master plan the town formulated through the Envision Williamston program. The Mauldin Street property is being purchased for $10,000, while the West Main property will be purchased for $28,000.

According to Mayor Mack Durham the properties will give the town two pieces of property for right of way to extend Cherokee Road to West Main Street, creating a four way intersection at Prince St.

Council unanimously approved the two ordinances which simultaneously amended the 2016-17 budget to allow for the expenditures.

Both properties will be purchased by funds in the town’s general fund account and are contingent to the contracts being signed.

Council also unanimously approved first reading on two ordiances to annex property on Beaverdam Road.

The first ordinance was a request to annex 14-28 Beaverdam Road into the town. The property will be zoned Highway Commercial (HC). the property includes the shopping center that houses Deals Galore and Papa John’s Pizza.

The 304 Beaverdam Road property is the former Chastain property which was supposedly annexed in 1997, but was not recorded with Anderson County. Zoning on the property was recently changed by council to Highway Commercial.

Council also approved the purchase of a utility easement on the properties. According to Mayor Durham, the town is paying $160,000 for a twenty foot right-of-way around all four corners of the property. The purchase will allow the town to install water/sewer lines to promote economic development for the town of Williamston, he said.

Council went into a brief executive session for discussion on a contractural agreement related to economic development for the town.