By David Meade
Williamston Town Council approved second reading on a debt setoff ordinance, heard an EMS update from Medshore Ambulance and department updates during their regular meeting Monday.
Sherrie Cole announced the annual Christmas Parade will be held Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.
The parade will follow the usual route from Hamilton Street to Calvary Baptist Church.
There was brief discussion about changing the route next year to include Greenville Drive.
Cole urged participants to pre-register with forms on the town website and facebook page.
Josh Shore, General Manager of Medshore Ambulance Service, told Council that the Medshore bid for EMS services for the Williamston area (Zone 4) were successful and the company will continue to provide the service.
He also reported that since moving the Medshore Dispatch to the County 911 Dispatch Center, they have seen a 75 second reduction in response times. Medshore is also 85 percent on time compliance, he said.
Williamston Police Department Captain Kevin Marsee reported stats for October.
The WPD had 42 written reports, 5 accident reports, 12 closed by arrest, 23 administrative cases closed and 7 cleared.
There were 23 tickets, 45 warnings, 3 arrest warrants and 22 arrests made.
Officers conducted 109 business checks, 98 business contacts, 294 keep check, 302 directive patrol and 47 traffic enforcement.
Marsee also reported the department had received a grant to upgrade 14 tazers and a donation from the United States Deputy Sheriffs Association, to provide 25 medical trauma kits to officers.
Envision Williamston Executive Director Sonya Crandall reported on highlights for the organization over the past year.
The organization has provided 42 street banners, awarded 28 facade grants, constructed 3 gateway/greenspaces, 15 adopt a rest stop bench locations and placed decals at 12 vacant properties. There have been two murals completed and two more on the way, Crandall said. There are 35 scarecrows participating in the town wide decorating contest. Also 15 new businesses have opened, 22 community events scheduled and a new mobile app made available which has had 350 downloads.
Crandall said the town has seen $2.4 million in private investment and Envision Williamston is reopening the Main St. challenge grant available to encourage a new business located in the town.
Debbie Chapman gave the codes report. (See separate article)
After the report, Mayor Mack Durham said the town is looking at improving ordinances in an effort to prepare for growth and the moving the community forward. He said that giving citizens time to adapt their behavior to new ordinances has been positive and thanked Chapman and the police department for their support in educating citizens.
Council approved second reading on a debt set off program with a 4-0 vote. Councilman David Harvell was absent.
At the request of Medshore Ambulance, Council also extended the lease agreement for the Williamston EMS building for another year at the current rate of $1000 per month.
The town was leasing the building to Medshore Ambulance on a month by month basis with an increase of $200 to take effect in December.
Josh Shore said Medshore is using a portion of the building, primarily the bay, bunk and kitchen area. The front office and a dayroom are not being used by Medshore, he said.
Under the lease, Medshore is also responsible for maintenance on the building.
Council went into executive session to discuss a contractural matter related to the Greenville and Western Railway.
No additional information was provided and no action was taken upon returning to regular session approximately 35 minutes later.
