During their meeting Monday, Williamston Town Council heard an update from Envision Williamston, recognized a retiring police officer and held first reading to rezone property on Market Street. They also approved a resolution to accept Gossett Drive as a town street.
Stephen Greer presented information on a music festival he would like to hold in Mineral Spring Park on July 9. Greer said the festival will include a variety of independent music artists, vendors and food vendors. He said the event will be family friendly and will be free to the public. Council agreed to reserve the date pending logistics and additional information.
Envision Williamston Director Roberta Hamby updated council on the organization. Hamby said that EW has 37 Hometown Hero banners reserved and plans to have them up by Armed Forces Day in May.
Hamby said Envision Williamston is planning a Work on Williamston (WOW) day from 9 am to 12 noon on April 23. Volunteers will work to mulch around town hall and clean up along Big Creek. Community First Bank will provide lunch for volunteers. Palmetto High AFJROTC and FFA will also help with the event, she said.
Envison Williamston is starting an Adopt a Shelter program in which local businesses, churches or other organizations can help clean, paint and make repairs on structures in Mineral Spring Park.
The organization is also planning to place permanent cornhole board in the park.
Envision Williamston will sponsor the Bobbers on Big Creek event and Freedom Games as part of the Town’s Freedom Celebration on July 2. Hamby said there will be music, a market fair, bingo games and other activities. The Palmetto Business Association is also a sponsor.
The deadline for local business interested in applying for an EW Facade Grant is April 30, she said.
Envision Williamston will also co-sponsor a Jazz event on June 9 along with the Williamston Police Department. The event, featuring Jamie Wright, will be 6:30 to 8:30 in Mineral Spring Park and will also include a food truck.
The new Raines Restaurant in Williamston was awarded the Envision Williamston Main Street Challenge grant. EW Chair Marion Williams and Hamby presented owners Jamie and JoieLynn Baldwin with the award for $5000 to be used in the business. The award will be dispersed over a six month period and can be used for expenses associated with opening a new business in Williamston.
EW Main Street Challenge winner
The new Raines Restaurant in Williamston was awarded the Envision Williamston Main Street Challenge grant. EW Chair Marion Williams and Hamby presented owners Jamie and JoieLynn Baldwin with the award for $5000 to be used in the business. The award will be dispersed over a six month period and can be used for expenses associated with opening a new business in Williamston.
Retiring Williamston Police Officer Tina Eichelberger was recognized during the Councilmeeting. Williamston Police Chief Tony Taylor presented Eichelberger with her police ID, badge and service revolver. She was also presented a plaque recognizing her service to the town and 25 years as a police officer.
In the business portion of the meeting, Council approved first reading on an ordinance to rezone nine tracts of property on Market Street into three tracts. The property is currently zoned Multi Family Residential MFR and is being rezoned to R7 Single Family Residential.
Council also approved a resolution to accept Gossett Drive into the town’s municipal road system.
The road is currently maintained by the SC Department of Transportation. There is significant stormwater runoff issues along the road near the railroad trestle and SCDOT has agreed to repair the damage to Gossett Drive and the right-of-way as part of the agreement. SCDOT has suggested closing the road due to problems associated with vehicle striking the railroad trestle. Mayor Rockey Burgess said accepting Gossett Drive as a town road will allow the town and railroad to have other safety options and to keep it open.
According to mayor Burgess, Hunter Quinn Homes, the developers of the Brock Lane subdivision, are finalizing plans and will be breaking ground soon. The development will include a trail system and will have a trailhead that will tie into the town’s Mineral Spring Trail.
Officer Eichelberger retiring
Retiring Williamston Police Officer Tina Eichelberger was recognized during the Williamston Town Council meeting Monday. Police Chief Tony Taylor (left) presented Eichelberger with her police ID, badge and service revolver. She was also presented a plaque recognizing her service to the town and 25 years as a police officer. Pictured are Chief Taylor, Officer T. Eichelberger, Lt. L. B. Culbertson Jr. and Mayor Rockey Burgess.
