During their June 1 meeting, Williamston Town Council made a change to the zoning ordinance and heard about plans a longstanding West Main business has to introduce a new brand.
Council also approved second reading on a $7,260,333 budget for 2026-27. The operating budget shows a seven percent increase over the current year. The millage rate will remain the same at 122.5 mills and there will not be a tax increase.
It reflects a three percent across the board salary increase for town employees, renovations to the kitchen at Town Hall, ballfield improvements and airpacks for the fire department (See separate story).
Williamston Police Chief Kevin Marsee recognized two officers who recently graduated from the Criminal Justice Academy. Officer Jackson Cushman and Officer Cory Kretzmer were sworn in by Municipal Clerk Michelle Starnes.
Cushman also was recognized for receiving the ACCSA Directors Physical Fitness Award while in training at the academy.
Milton Owens presented information for a Flavor and Flow festival to be held later this year in Williamston. Owens said the festival will be family friendly and fun and entertaining for local residents and business. He said it will include a DJ, food vendors, and kids zone. Food items will include soul food, seafood, street crafts. It will be a ticketed event. Details and a date will be announced at a later date.
Envision Williamston Executive Director Roberta Hamby updated council on events. She said EW market generated $900 which was divided between the Masonic Lodge and EW.
She said she has received three estimates for a handicap ramp for Town Hall. Quotes range from $84,000 to $89,800.
EW is in the process of having signs made for Brookdale Park and Gray Drive Walking Trail Park. Updated signs are also being made to replace the wayfinding signs. Funding for the sign project comes from Accomodations Tax (ATAX) funding from the county.
EW will hold the Bobbers on Big Creek event in conjunction with the Freedom Celebration on June 27. Sixty-four businesses are participating and the event will include a $250 cash prize for the bobber that goes into a special bucket that will be in the creek during the event. The celebration will tie in with America’s 250th celebration this year.
Council approved a zoning change that will remove multi-family MFR from the R3 – Single Family Residential zoning district. Mayor Burgess said apartments and duplexes will be removed from the R3 district which allows only single family housing. The mininum square footage of 10,000 and setbacks will remain the same.
Council gave Mayor Burgess authority to enter into a development agreement with Newburg Investments, LLC for the redevelopment of property on West Main Street. The owners of FastFuel located on West Main Street plan to redevelop the property as a first-class gas station/convenience store under a new brand called “Swift Stop”. The project will include construction of a new approximately 4,500 sf gas/convenient store with approximately sixteen public and private parking spaces including four electric charging stations.
Mayor Burgess said a small parcel of town owned land near the railroad track will be conveyed to the FastFuel owners under the agreement.
The property is adjacent to the town owned “Lander property” which is currently used for parking for soccer fields and special events such as the Spring Water Festival and the current store.
Burgess said the parcel is useless to the town but is of value to the FastFuel owners.
FastFuel owner Patel said they plan to demolish the old building and redevelop the property with a new business brand.
Raj Patel said his family has owned and operated the FastFuel business in Williamston for 23 years and are introducing a new brand called Swift Stop. The first Swift Stop location is in Spartanburg. The second location will be in Williamston, he said. The new business will feature a restaurant, a drive thru, plenty of parking, will be well lit and have other other amenities.
It will be designed, constructed and finished with Class A level fixtures and materials.
The Patels also own the house and lot adjacent to the FastFuel. The FastFuel and (surveyor’s) house will be demolished for the new construction, he said.
The agreement will include a time limit (two to three years) for the redevelopment project to be completed and the property transfer final.
Burgess said the Lander property may be paved by the Town when the new store is built and paves their parking lot.
Mayor Burgess said the Town’s 1864 rifled cannon, which is currently being housed at the Citadel, is expected to be brought back to Williamston for the upcoming Freedom Celebration. He said it has been at the Citadel since 2018 and this will be the first time it has been brought back to the Town since then.
He thanked the community for their prayers and support for his family and grandson.
Two new Williamston police officers recently graduated from the SC Criminal Justice Academy. Officer Jackson Cushman and Officer Cory Kretzmer were sworn in by Municipal Clerk Michelle Starnes during the town council meeting Monday. Pictured are (l-r) Officer Jackson Cushman, Police Chief Kevin Marsee and Officer Cory Kretzmer. Cushman also was recognized for receiving the ACCSA Directors Physical Fitness Award while in training at the academy.
