During their meeting Monday, Williamston Town Council approved a comprehensive plan, a development agreement on Brock Lane subdivision and recognized several members of the Police Department including former Police Chief Tony Taylor.
Interim Police Chief Kevin Marsee presented Taylor with his badge and service revolver.
Marsee recounted that Taylor had worked in the department as a dispatcher, then as a Greenville County Deputy, Police Academy Training and 10 years as Police Chief in Williamston. During that time, Marsee said Taylor brought accreditation, policy updates and technology to the department.
Taylor said, “It has been an honor to serve this community.” He thanked former Mayor Mack Durham for “Opening that door” and Mayor Rockey Burgess for “extending the opportunity”.
Taylor thanked Interim Chief Marsee for “having my back” and the command staff of the Williamston Police Department. ” We had good times and bad times he said.
Taylor thanked God for the opportunity to serve.
He said it was time for a new chapter and when opening one door, closes another.
He thanked the community for their support. “It means a lot,” he said. “I love this town, this community. I will pray for the acting chief, for wisdom from above.”
Mayor Burgess said there were difficult times as mayor when he received words of wisdom and words of humor from Chief Taylor. He thanked Taylor for the encouragement and prayers. “I am happy you were able to serve the town as long as you were able to.”
Also recognized were Sgt. Daniel Hart and Lt. Lauren Mulz. Retired Lt. Jack Sanders placed pins on Lieutenant Mulz.
Mulz was also recognized for her service during a response to an opiate ingestion incident in which she and Officer Josh Cobb administered Narcan four times before they were able to bring back the victim. Lt. Mulz and Officer Cobb were commended by Marsee and presented the “Life Saving Award”. Cobb was unable to attend.
In another recognition, Marsee presented a donation from Willliamston Police Officers to Anderson Cancer Association Director Angie Stringer. The funds were collected from the officers’ “beard fund”, to which they contribute in return for being allowed to grow a beard.
Following the presentation, Stringer updated Council on the recent Hot Air Affair: Rise Above Cancer hot air balloon event held in Williamston.
Stringer thanked councilmembers Chris Alexander and Tabatha Austin and Debbie Chapman for their help during the event.
She presented event balloon pins to each of the councilmembers and mayor and a basket banner signed by pilots who participated in the event.
Stringer said the event had 25 hot air balloons and the response from pilots was they loved Williamston and the hospitality that was shown to them. She also reported that the vendors were thrilled with the response they had.
“The weather was not great, but they were able to tether and do a balloon glow,” she said. “Thank you all for coming out to support the Hot Air Affair: Rise Above Cancer event.”
Councilman Alexander said it was the third year for the event to be held in Williamston and there was a good turnout for it. “People were patient,” he said. “Vendors were happy with the way things went. It was a great festival. We look forward to next year.”
Members of the Upward Leadership program at Palmetto High were also recognized.
Attending the meeting were Weston Pack, Lillie Finley and Ella Frailey. The student led youth program does service projects and mission work.
Envision Williamston Executive Director Roberta Hamby updated Council on the organization. Hamby said surveys taken during the Spring Water Festival provided “good feedback” and that the Scarecrow Decorating Contest will begin next week. Online judging will be held Oct. 9-22.
Envision Williamston will host a breakfast for local pastors this Thurday morning at 8 a.m.
Hamby also reported that work has begun on Williamston’s new dog park with fencing being installed. She said the dog park should be ready in three days. Envision Williamston is in the process of ordering signs with guides for the facility. A ribbon cutting will be help soon, she said.
Hamby said Mineral Spring Park will be closed on Monday Sept. 19 for roof repairs on park structures. Modern Roofing will be replacing shingles on the shelters.
Hamby reported that she has applied for a $5000 grant for benches for the new pickleball courts and dog park.
A Bingo with the Blue activity will be held from 11 am to noon on October 15 featuring bingo with members of the Williamston Police Dept.
She also reported that the Anderson Career and Technology Center Media Broadcasting program is selling a variety of sponsor packages for advertising on MyPulseRadio and other websites and livestreams to help with expenses students compete in and attend media industry career conference in Chicago and New York City. Donations of any size accepted call John Boone at 864)847-4121 ex 2141 or email jboone@mypulseradio.com.
Mayor Burgess updated council on work on the new pickleball and basketball courts. Paving has been completed and fencing will be installed Sept. 14-16, he said. Lighting and striping will be done soon.
In the only voting action, Council unanimously approved the town’s new Comprehensive Plan with a 4-0 vote. The plan provides direction for growth over the next 10 to 20 years. Councilwoman Tabatha Austin was not present.
Jessica Marrow and daughter Falynn Marrow presented information about a free reading book club library they would like to place in Mineral Spring Park. The small covered shelter will offer free books to local kids. Council approved the request.
Council also approved first reading on a Development Agreement with Hunter Quinn Homes, LLC for development of the Brock Lane Subdivision located at Williams Street and Brock Lane.
Under the agreement, 31.49 acres belonging to the Town will be subdivided into two tracts, one containing 27.51 acres zoned Planned Development and a second containing 3.98 acres which the Town will retain for split zoned commercial use.
The subdivision will be known as Saratoga Villages and Saratoga Oaks and include 64 single family lots. It will have streets, a storm water system with storm water management structures and storm sewers, a water distribution system, a sanitary sewer system, electrical and phone systems and other necessary improvements for single family homes.
The development will include green space, sidewalks, curbs, and a trail head for access to other town trails with easy access to the park.
When the agreement was announced in July, 2021, the purchase price was set at $320,000 which will be paid to the town as the lots are sold. The developer will pay $5000 to the town as lots are fully developed and closing is held on each new home. $1000 of that will go to the real estate agent.
Homes in the development are expected to be priced from $300,000 and up.
