During their meeting Monday, Williamston Town Council rezoned two properties and named an interim municipal judge.
Christmas Parade organizer Sherri Cole said that there were 66 entries and approximately 250 participants in the parade which was held Sunday. She recognized two of the parade winners, Anderson County Fire and Guthrie Grove Church during the meeting. (See separate story).
Envision Williamston Executive Director Roberta Hamby said the Winter Wonderland event was a great success. Hamby said the Christmas Market vendors “had a fantastic night” and there were 310 carriage rides taken during the evening. Event goers and vendors liked having the free photos that were provided during the evening.
Hamby said there were several areas that needed to be addressed for next year including parking, the need for more traffic cones and barricades, a better sound system for the opening ceremony and no music in the park on opening night. Market vendor fees amounted to $2000 which will be used for future Envision Williamston programs or events, Hamby said.
The next Envision Williamston event will be “Be Mine Bingo” in February, Hamby said.
Williamston Police Chief Kevin Marsee recognized Debbie Chapman for her support of the Book Bag Giveaway which provided 300 bags to local school children.
He said the next community event for the police department is the Cops and Kids Christmas for Children being held this Saturday.
Chief Marsee said that earlier this year, he told his officers to “build a department you would be proud to serve under” and for the community. He said the department has done that and often go further with a willingness to serve the community and how they interact with people they encounter. He said typically when a person deals with a police officer, “they are having a bad day” and that his officers make a difference when they are on a call. Marsee said, “They (citizens) will remember how they feel” when dealing with an officer.
Chief Marsee and Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess then recognized officer Luke Mays. Mayor Burgess said that a citizen had called him about how officer Mays had handled a situation, not to complain but to compliment him. Burgess presented Officer Mays with a Town Coin to show appreciation for his conduct as an officer.
In other business, Council unanimously approved second reading to rezone property located at 547 MIll Street. The property, once know as the old “pants plant”, was zoned Institutional on the Town’s zoning map and is now rezoned as Industrial. The town’s Planning Commission recommended the change.
Council also approved second reading on an ordinance to rezone property on E. First St. and Mahaffey Road. The former Milliken property was purchased by the Town several years ago and was zoned Multi Family Residential. Re-Zoning to R7, Single Family Residential was recommended by the Planning Commission and will not allow apartments or duplexes to be built on the property. The minimum lot size under the new zoning is 7000 sq. ft.
Councilman Lee Cole said, “It is a step in the right direction for neighbors and residents and the town, which has designated areas for multi family housing.”
Mayor Burgess said that residents in the area did not want multi-family units on the property. “We want positive growth,” the Mayor said. “The growth is here. We want to make sure it is acceptable and meets our standards.”
Council also approved the hiring of an Interim Municipal Judge. Current County Magistrate and Municipal Judge Matt Lollis is resigning the position. “He has been fantastic for our Town,” Mayor Burgess said.
Before naming an interim judge, Burgess said that Council needed to decide if the Town wanted to continue with a municipal judge and summary court or do away with them and have tickets and fines go to Summary Court in Anderson.
He said if they go with Summary Court option, the disadvantage is that fine money goes to the Summary Court.
The Town “does not budget for the police department based on fines”, Mayor Burgess said.
After brief discussion, Councilman Cole recommended that Jamie Saxon be appointed Interim Judge, “until we appoint a judge or decide to go to the county.” Saxon is an attorney and has served as the Deputy Probate Judge for Anderson County.
Mayor Burgess said he supported the appointment. “We have had little time to figure out what we want to do. We want what’s best for our town and the municipal court.” He said the interim appointment will also allow time for feedback from residents.
Council then went into Executive Session to discuss a possible contract for “economic development”.
Following the meeting a reception was held for Councilmember Tabatha Austin.
Mayor Burgess said he appreciated Austin for her service as a councilmember during the time he has been mayor. He said Austin has always made decisions in the “best interest of the town” and that he has appreciated the advice she brought to discussions. He thanked her for her service to the Town as a member of Council.
Austin was defeated by former town employee David Rogers in the recent election.
The recommendation was unanimously approved.
