During their meeting Tuesday, Pelzer Town Council heard an update on several property related issues and approved four new street light locations.
Town Clerk Cheryl Beaudreau reported fifty-one work orders were completed in September, with eight connections and twenty-two disconnects. There were twenty-one miscellaneous items addressed.
In the police report, there were thirty-one traffic related incidents, seventy-five contacts, 27 calls for service and five arrests.
Beaudreau said the Pelzer Christmas Market will be held on Nov. 19. Organizers are accepting vendor applications through Nov. 10.
Town Attorney Richard Thompson updated Council on several property related issues.
The Town is in the process of getting an easement on a piece of property for recreation purposes, however Thompson said the issue should be discussed in Executive Session.
The old swimming pool property which is being re-acquired by the Town through Eminient Domain is in the process of being condemned and is still going through the necessary legal processes.
Thompson said legal depositions are being set up where witnesses will appear under oath to provide more information.
A contract of sale has been signed for the Church of God property and will be sent to the church attorney for finalization, Thompson said. Council voted in December 2021 to purchase the 26.71 acres of property on Hwy. 20 that is owned by the Pelzer Church of God. The Town is paying $179,000 for the property which appraised for $237,400.
According to Thompson, an offer by the Pelzer Heritage Commission (PHC) to donate upper mill property along the river has not moved forward due to a stipulation by PHC that the property stay in the town and be used for parks, trails and recreation.
Thompson said PHC officials asked for a timeline and plan of what the town plans to do with the property and that Pelzer officials had discussed the issue and wanted no strings attached.
Thompson said he had contacted PHC Attorney West Cox but has not heard back from him.
The property was offered to the town in January. It extends along the Saluda River from the Hwy. 20 bridge to where new cottages are being built and “Overlook Park”, down to the Timmerman Kayak launching facility.
There was no old business for Council to discuss or act on.
New business included approval of streetlights on four streets including one on Capers St., two on Goodrich St., one on Green St. and two on Paul St. The new lighting will cost $10.05 per light each month.
Mayor Will Ragland said the Town and Duke Energy are analyzing other streets for additional lighting. Many of the poles are old or damaged and not suitable for new lights, he said.
The lighting was unanimously approved.
Mayor Ragland announced upcoming events which include the Town’s first Planning Commission meeting, to be held at 6 p.m., Oct. 19 at the Pelzer Gym. A community input meeting for the Anderson County Parks and Recreation Master Plan for Timmerman Landing and the Pelzer Monkey Park will be held Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m., also at the Pelzer Gym.
Council then went into executive session to discuss a contractural issue.
