Municipal Clerk Paula Payton reported a kickoff meeting of the steering committee for the Town’s Master Plan was held on August 3. A public meeting is scheduled for Sept. 8.
Payton said the town is looking into a new way for citizens to connect by text messages through TextMyGov. Residents can report issues and find information. Features included chat, streets, suspicious activity, water, sewer, sanitation, park and codes. You can opt to receive alerts for general information, emergency and events. Council will have the opportunity to test the service before it is released to the public.
Sixteen workorders were completed in the month of July.
West Pelzer Police Chief Scott Stoller reported there were 14 reports written; four persons were arrested with charges including unlawful neglect of a child, larceny, driving under suspension and drug offense.
There were 69 tickets written with 13 warnings and one motor vehicle collision.
Mayor Blake Sanders and Councilman Jeff Lee spoke during a public hearing held on an Annexation and Sewer/Water Service Ordinance.
Mayor Sanders said the ordinance was spurred by the sale of the sewer system to ReWa and that few municipalities offer utility service without annexation requirements. He said “We are working on updating the zoning ordinance, which will address classification, allowance of animals, property size requirements and other items.
Councilman Lee said, “The Town will grow regardless. An annexation ordinance gives the Town some control over the growth. He gave an example of West Pelzer funded emergency services responding to residents outside the town limits, but no fund being collected from those residents.
Mayor Sanders will discuss proposed changes with Town Attorney Carey Murphy and have a revised ordinance to present at the September meeting.
The Dog Days of Summer event will be held in West Pelzer on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 11 a.m.
Council went into a brief executive session to discuss contractural matters. No votes were taken during or after the executive session.
