During their meeting Monday, Williamston Town Council decided to proceed with closing the Green Street railroad crossing and approved a new golf cart ordinance which will allow use of golf carts in town at night.
A resident of Green Street presented a petition with 33 signatures of people living on Green Street and in the area, who he said are in support of closing the crossing. Three people who wanted to keep it open, and who spoke at a previous council meeting, also signed the petition, citing they would like to see it closed if they can still walk across the railroad tracks.
John Rowland said that the loud train horn, having two dead end streets would be safer and the Mill Street access to Green Street would be safer. He urged the Town to file a request with the court in support of the railroad to close the crossing.
James Hawkins of Piedmont requested use of the Amphitheater in Mineral Spring Park for a daylong Christian music festival on August 9. The event will include five bands and barbecue plates will be sold, he said.
Dominique Brown, a representative of TMobile business located in the West Main Shopping Center, asked for clarification on the use of “feather flags” and outside tents for marketing for the business. Mayor Burgess explained some of the town code and directed her to the town website for specific details regarding signs.
Envision Williamston Executive Director Roberta Hamby reported that there were seventy-nine bobber participants in the Bobbers on Big Creek Race held recently as part of the Williamston Freedom Festival Celebration. Hamby said 1320 bobbers “barely floated” down the creek, with help from extra water supplied by the Williamston Fire Department. Everyone who participated received a prize, she said. Two hundred people registered for the grill drawing giveaway held later that day at the concert stage.
Hamby said that the EW/Williamston Police Dept. Book Bag giveaway will be held this Saturday from 1 pm to 3 pm. Participants should pre-register for the “shopping” event, which will be held in the Municipal Center Auditorium. Various businesses will have tables set up with items for each bookbag and participants can go to each table to get items for their bookbag. There will be an inflatable bounce, trackless train, popcorn and hotdogs. Some new clothing items have also been donated, she said.
A shark week drawing contest will be held July 20-26.
The EW Scavenger Hunt will be held July 26-Aug. 2.
A Bingo event will be held 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on July 26. Grand prize for adults will be a four piece patio set. Grand prize for kids will be a 19 ft. splashpad.
The EW End of Summer Concert will be held from 6 pm – 9 p.m. on August 2 in Mineral Spring Park featuring the Rhythm Jab band from Simpsonville. Hamby said EW plans to have a water slide at the event for kids to enjoy.
In old business, Councilman David Rogers made a motion to amend the agenda to bring back the Green Street railroad crossing for discussion. Council unanimously agreed.
During discussion, Mayor Rockey Burgess explained that the Town had sent out a public notice and letter to residents and only three residents of Green Street who were opposed to it being closed came before Council.
He said the Town would request that it be able to be used as a pedestrian crossing, but closed to vehicles, with posts and signage instead of berms.
Burgess also explained that the railroad has worked with the Town on other projects and they have a good relationship.
Councilman Lee Cole requested the Town initiate action to file for the crossing to be closed and asked if the value the railroad had provided the town would be equal or exceed the attorney fees that would be required.
Mayor Burgess replied, “Yes that would be my position.”
Councilman David Rogers made a motion to bring the issue back to the table for a vote. Councilman Tony Hagood seconded. A resolution to support the judicial closing of the railroad crossing was unanimously approved. The issue will go before a circuit court judge for a final decision.
Council also unanimously approved a new golf cart ordinance which will allow use of golf carts at night within the town if they meet the lighting and seat belt requirement for ages under twelve per state of South Carolina laws.
Council unanimously approved a resolution to make interim municipal judge James Saxon the fulltime judge for the town, with the current salary and benefits.
Mayor Burgess asked Councilmembers to seek nominations for one position on the town’s election commission.
Council then went into Executive Session lasting approximately fifteen minutes to discuss a potential contractural agreement. No details were provided when they resumed open meeting and they adjourned.
Mayor Burgess said SCDOT will resume a paving project along Hwy. 20 (Main Street) soon. The project was interrupted at Academy Street recently for an emergency project, he said.
