During their meeting Tuesday, West Pelzer Town Council heard an update on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and concerns from several residents.
The Town had widespread power and internet outages when the storm hit on Friday, Sept. 27. There were numerous downed trees and power poles on private property and roadways.
West Pelzer, along with other municipalities in Anderson County have entered into a memorandum of agreement with the SC Department of Transportation for debris cleanup.
West Pelzer Town Clerk Paula Payton said the Cleanup has already begun with more than 50 large claw trucks running throughout Anderson County.
The trucks will be picking up trees and branches that are placed along the roadside beginning this week. Vegetative debris should be away from mailboxes, power poles, meters, fire hydrants and vehicles.
Payton updated Council on several events. The Mile Long Yard Sale was canceled due to the storm and will be rescheduled in the spring.
Payton said the Jack O’ Lantern Jamboree, hosted by the Town of Pelzer, will be held Oct. 26 at the Pelzer ballfields.
There will be a tree lighting in Chapman Park on Dec. 6 and the annual Christmas parade will be held on Dec. 7.
Payton said Re-Wa is working on Phase 1 of a rehabilitation project which will have low impact on residents. Contractors will be checking lines and may have to go onto residents property, Payton said. They will have a NAPM logo on their trucks, she said.
After some discussion and receiving a recommendation from Town Attorney Carey Murphy, Council unanimously approved a resolution to grant an easement to Duke Energy for access across town property on Mill Street. (Councilman Johnny Rogers was not present).
Murphy said he would like to see more specific information for easement and distances requested in the easement. He said the wooded lot is unusable and that he does not see the easement as being a major problem in the future.
Pamela Christopher presented information to Town Council on a proposed one cent sales tax for roads and transportation projects throughout Anderson County.
The one percent sales tax will be on the Nov. 5 ballot as a referendum for voters to decide.
If approved, the sales tax will be in effect for seven years and will raise $366 million solely “for improvements to highways, roads (paved and unpaved), streets, intersections, and bridges within Anderson County, South Carolina, including related drainage system improvements.”
It will also include a $15 million general obligation bonds, secured by the sales tax and (as required by the South Carolina Constitution).
During Public Comments, West Pelzer resident and business owner Rick Sanders read a statement “on behalf of citizens of the town” stating that there was a lack of leadership and compassion from the mayor and an unapproachable demeanor. (See separate story)
Sanders also commented with concerns about the town canceling Pumpkinpalooza, removing prayer from town meetings and lack of progress on a 10 year plan that was approved which would guide the town through change and growth.
In his statement, Sanders also commented on what he saw as a lack of involvement by the mayor to the storm response including requesting a patrol vehicle or some type of barriers where a large tree had fallen across Main Street (Hwy. 8) which was only cleared to one lane. A traffic accident at the site later that night resulted in a fatality.
Public comments are usually limited to three minutes, however Sanders was allowed to finish his statement.
Several other residents also expressed concerns about the town including canceling Pumpkinpalooza, removing prayer from town meetings and progress on the 10 year plan.
During Council comments, Councilman Tim Williams recommended that prayer be reinstated at the start of council meetings and that the town hold the Pumkinpalooza event.
After clarification by Town Attorney Carey Murphy, Williams made a motion on both of the recommendations. A vote to reinstate prayer did not pass, with only Williams in favor. A vote on Pumpkinpalooza was approved 3-1 with Mayor Riddle opposed.
Murphy later informed Council that he was incorrect in his advice regarding Williams motions. He said the vote was invalid because the issues were not on the original agenda and there was no opportunity for public input.
“The lawyer made the decision that they were out of order,” Mayor Riddle said Wednesday morning. Riddle also clarified that the Pumpkinpalooza event was not canceled, but was to be folded into the Fall Festival event on Sept. 14. That event was canceled due to heavy rain, he said. “We had candy and gifts for the kids. It was to be a part of the fall festival.”
