By David Meade
Williamston Town Council approved their 2013-14 budget Monday with funding included for a new program that will help the town in revitalization and economic development efforts. The $78,043 in funding for the Main Street SC program provides for first year start up costs including a paid coordinator for the program which is offered through the SC Municipal Association.
During their budget work session held recently, Williamston Mayor Mack Durham said that he is recommending that Williamston Town Council designate 30 percent of the Hospitality Tax Fund, or $48,000, for tourism related community development and that individual events have a $10,000 funding cap.
Durham is also suggesting the town provide funding for 10 events during the 2013-14 budget year and that all current fund recipients continue to be funded. The 2013-14 Hospitality Fund budget has projected revenues of $160,000, up from $135,000 last year.
By David Meade
The Town of Williamston and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development held a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday to celebrate the completion of the town’s Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) facility upgrade. The ribbon cutting was held on Earth Day, April 22, and included various officials from the town, county and Rural Development.
During a three hour budget worksession Saturday morning, Williamton Mayor Mack Durham information presented on a proposed MASC Main Street SC revitalization program which the mayor would like to see the town implement.
The program requires a three year committment and a paid coordinator. Funding for the position is included in the proposed budget the mayor said. (Note: An informational meeting on the program is being held Tuesday Apr. 30 at 7 p.m. at Palmetto High School)
Dispatching services for the Town of Williamston are now officially transferred to Anderson County 911 Center, according to Williamston Police Chief Tony Taylor. As of 7 p.m. Tuesday, calls to the Williamston Police Department dispatch center were not being answered by a dispatcher in Williamston, according to Chief Taylor.
Instead, calls now go to a consolidated dispatch center known as the Anderson County Emergency Services or Anderson County 911 Center.
Starting today (Tuesday, Apr. 23) at 7 p.m., police dispatch services for the Town of Williamston will be transferred to the Anderson County 911 Center. Citizens should call 911 for Police, Fire or EMS services.
According to Williamston Police Chief Tony Taylor, calls to the Williamston Police Department will no longer be answered by a Williamston Police Dispatcher. Instead, calls made to the department will go to the consolidated dispatch center also known as the Anderson County Emergency Services or Anderson County 911 Center.
Town of Williamston is now accepting water bill payments online. Water customers can go the the town website at www.williamstonsc.us and click on the PAY WATER BILL ONLINE link. Then follow the instructions on that page. Customers will need to set up an account at the web payment site with water account and banking information.
By David Meade
The position of Administrator for the Town of Williamston was eliminated with a 5-0 unanimous vote of Williamston Town Council during a special called meeting last Thursday.
The town’s former administrator Phyllis Lollis has been issued a severance check for 60 days pay as stated in the original hiring agreement, Mayor Mack Durham said Wednesday. The final payment, which the mayor said amounted to about $11,400, included three weeks of accumulated vacation time.
Anderson County Council Vice-Chair Cindy Wilson and the Town of Williamston will host a wild hog control seminar on Wednesday, May 1 at Williamston Town Hall. The presenters will be Noel Myers and Robert Byrd with the USDA Wildlife Services Office.
By David Meade
A special called meeting of Williamston Town Council will be held at 6 p.m. this Thursday, Apr. 11 to resolve the matter of what to do about the town’s administrator position and on several other “big decision” issues. Phyllis Lollis was suspended from her duties as the town administrator by Mayor Dr. R. Mack Durham when he took office on Jan. 2.
