During their meeting Monday, Williamston Town Council approved a PARD grant resolution, held first reading on sale of property to a developer and recognized local barber Jack Turner.
Turner operated his barbershop in the West Main shopping center for 60 years before recently retiring.
Envision Williamston Executive Director Roberta Hamby reported on event held with the Freedom Celebration. Hamby said there were 358 bobbers registered for the Envision Williamston Bobbers on Big Creek Race which was co-sponsored by the Palmetto Business Association.
There were 369 people registered for the big screen TV drawing sponored by Envision Williamston. The drawing was held between performances by TracieLynn and Gyth Rigdon. Hamby said 157 of those registered were from Williamston, 62 from Pelzer and 7 from West Pelzer. Others registered were from all over the Upstate, neighboring states and a number of other states. The winner was from Simpsonville, she said.
Upcoming events will include a shark week contest, Bookbag Giveaway with Williamston Police Department July 13 and a Scavenger Hunt July 20. A Bingo event with prizes including an adult tablet and child tablet will be held July 20 from 1 pm to 3 pm at Town Hall. The Bingo event is sponsored by Piedmont Post Acute.
An End of Summer concert is planned featuring the Encore Band, she said.
Hamby also requested the Town to allow a water supply for misters to be placed on the Jean Taylor bridge in Mineral Spring Park.
Debbie Chapman also updated Council on the Freedom Celebration.
Chapman said there were 33 entries in the golf cart parade, 17 food and beverage vendors, a concert and fireworks show.
Mayor Burgess stated that the event generated $15,000 in sponsorships and $2,000 in food truck sales for the Town. Total cost of the event was $22,000, he said.
He thanked the Williamston Police Department for providing safety during the event, Envision Williamston for their activities, Chris Trotter for helping organize the concert and providing generators, town staff and volunteers for making the event a success.
The Williamston Fire Department also conducted the fireworks show.
Mayor Burgess said it requires a lot of people to make events in the town possible. “We are happy to provide the support,” he said.
Williamston Police Chief Kevin Marsee recognized several police officers for their dedication and performance during recent events. (Details will be in The Journal next week).
Council approved a resolution to accept a $20,000 PARD grant which will be used for improvements at Brookdale Park. The Town will provide a $5,000 match for the grant.
Mayor Burgess thanked the Anderson County Legislative Delegation for helping make the grant possible. There was brief discussion about plans for the park.
Council approved the appointment of Jamie Saxon and Phillip Clardy to the Town’s Election Commission.
Council approved first reading on an ordinance to sell property located on Mahaffey Road and East First Street. The 39.54 acre property is being sold to Scout Realty Group, LLC for $300,000.
Mayor Burgess said
The property is currently in the process of being developed by Scout Realty Group, LLC. under an agreement with the Town in which it would be given to the developer with plans for construction of approximately 90 homes.
Under the contract agreement, which was made by a previous administration, the Town would receive some payment for each lot as homes were constructed and sold.
Burgess said the previous agreement presented a problem for the developer because they did not actually own the property
Under the new agreement, the Town will sell the property to the developer. Burgess acknowledged that the price was below market rate, but stated that the developer has already invested $100,000 in engineering and design for the development.
Burgess also said a number of “people did not want high density homes” to be constructed on the property. The Town requested fewer homes and more green space be included in the development.
Burgess said the developer is now planning for approximately 60 homes to be built on the property
There was considerable discussion about an earmark of $750,000 from the State budget to be used for improvements to Mineral Spring Park and Brookdale Park and a related controversy which arose on social media after Councilman Tony Hagood and others made posts about the distribution of the funding in the two town parks.
Burgess thanked Representative Anne Thayer for helping secure the funding which will be used primarily for new playground equipment in Mineral Spring Park.
Details on the discussion and the mayor’s comments regarding the social media controversy will be addressed in the next edition of The Journal.
