During their meeting Monday, Williamston Town Council annexed a property near Pelzer, provided funding for five police vehicles, funding for 20 new air packs for the fire department and funds to purchase a used sanitation truck.
Council also recognized the Palmetto Mustang Boys and Girls Basketball “C” Teams, for both teams recently winning the Anderson Oconee Pickens (AOP) Division II Championship.
Envision Williamston Executive Director Roberta Hamby reported that the “Be Mine Bingo” event was a success with more than 250 adults, 45 children and 21 volunteers participating. A total of $1568 in prizes were given out, she said.
Upcoming EW events include Pastors Breakfast on Mar. 18, Junk in Your Trunk Yard Sale from 7 am to 1 pm on Mar. 22, and an Easter Event with PBA at Palmetto Middle School on April 12 with Easter Bunny pictures.
Kendall Lanford band will perform from 6-9 on April 12 in Mineral Spring Park for the Rockin’ the Springs concert.
Hamby said the Easter Bunny will also be making an appearance on the Fire Truck on Apr. 17 beginning at 5 p.m. A Town cleanup will be held 8-12 on Apr. 19. A Cinco De Mayo event will be held May 3 in Mineral Spring Park.
The Hometown Hero banner program has space available to honor 25 local Veterans. Cost per two sided banner is $100. Deadline for reserving a banner to honor your Veteran is Friday. The banners hope plan to be up by Armed Forces Day and will remain through July 4, Hamby said.
Council approved second reading on an ordinance approving the annexation of approximately 57 acres located adjacent to the Goodwill property and between Hwy. 20 and Courtney Street. The annexation will bring the entire parcel into the town and change the zoning from agriculture to office/commercial.
The property, identified as TMS 244-00-06-007, is adjacent to property in Pelzer and is contiguous with property located across Hwy. 20 which was annexed into Williamston several years ago. The property is being sold to Baseline Development for an unnamed business that plans to locate there.
Council amended the budget to provide up to $75,000 for five used patrol vehicles for the Williamston Police Department. The purchase includes three Chevrolet Tahoes, a Chevrolet Caprice and a Ford Explorer. The vehicles are being purchased from a company in Florida that resells used police vehicles and all five have less than one hundred thousand miles on them, Mayor Burgess said. Burgess, Councilman Chris Alexander, Officer Chris Trotter, Fire Chief David Huff and Reserve Officer Corey Bagwell flew to Tampa, Florida to drive the vehicles back to Williamston, saving the Town the expense of having them shipped, Mayor Burgess said.
Council approved second reading on a budget amendment to provide $115,200 toward the purchase of 20 new air packs for the Fire Department. Total cost for the new equipment is $230,000. The Town is seeking assistance from the state to cover half the cost of purchasing the air packs. Mayor Burgess said new air pack equipment is a life safety equipment and will replace old equipment nearing the end of the 15 years of service they are approved for.
Council tabled second reading on the purchase of property from Trinity Baptist Church.
Mayor Burgess said there were some issues and need for a survey on the property and the parties are not ready to close. Councilman David Rogers stated he is against the purchase.
Council unanimously approved interim municipal judge Jamie Saxon as the town’s permanent Municipal Judge. Saxon will serve a four year term. Councilman Lee Cole provided background information about Saxon. Mayor Burgess said, “he has a good temperament to be our municipal judge.”
Council approved first reading on the purchase of a used Sanitation truck. The Town plans to purchase a 2021 Kenworth sanitation truck with very low miles from the Town of Honea Path for $100,000. Funding will come from the reserve fund.
The vehicle is equipped to pick up dumpsters and has a 25 cubic yard payload. Burgess said the larger payload will result in fewer trips to the landfill.
“We will be looking to get rid of the older, green truck”, he said.
The new truck may need some hydraulics and a winch at around $5,000.
Council then went into executive session to discuss a legal matter.
