By Betsy Finklea
The Dillon City Council discussed many topics at their regular November meeting on Monday evening.
Mayor Todd Davis welcomed Troop 753, who were in attendance working on a citizenship badge.
In the Mayor’s report:
—Davis said that SCDOT is in the process of reconfiguring the four-way stop at Old Mullins Highway and Jackson Street.
—He said the Dillon Christmas Parade is December 5th. Call the Dillon County Chamber of Commerce for details.
—Davis inquired about the fire department signs. City Manager Glen Wagner said that the two plastic faces have been ordered for the sign at the West Main Street fire department. The whole sign is being replaced at the main fire department.
—Davis said he continues to get questions about the Plaza Cinemas. He said this is a private enterprise, but he would follow up with the owner. He said he thought it was an important component in the community.
—Davis asked some questions about the budget in the areas of the wastewater sewer fund, depreciation, and dues and subscriptions.
—Davis then moved on to the golf course. (See related story in this issue.)
In the City Manager’s report:
—City Manager Glen Wagner said that the construction at Jackson Street was right over the Perdue main sewer line and there were concerns about this after the other problems that were recently experienced with this line. Approximately 400 feet of pipe has been ordered and has now arrived.
—Wagner said they did not receive the trail grant that they had applied for at the Wellness Center. He said they recently received a letter about this. Wagner said that the reason seems to be that the trail does not connect Point A to Point B. He asked that the council consider using approximately $32,000 from a quality of life account in the general fund to pave the trail. Upon a motion by Councilman John Braddy and a second by Councilman Phil Wallace, the council voted to approve the paving of the walking trail up to $35,000.
—The council approved a resolution to allow Officer David Lane of the City of Dillon Police Department to apply for a $50,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It would require a 45 percent match. The funds would be used to purchase laptop computers, printers for the vehicles, a server for the video camera system, an in-car video camera system. All patrol units would get a laptop and printer and one half of the units would get the in-car video camera system. The motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilman Wallace and seconded by Councilman Braddy. The motion was approved.
In council member reports:
—Councilman Johnny Eller said he saw a police officer speeding down Radford Boulevard at about 80 mph. He could not identify the officer. He said it upset him. Wagner said they have a policy on speed.
—Councilman John Braddy welcomed the Boy Scout troop. He said that learning about government is an important part of scouting. He said there was no government more important than local government because their input could have an impact there.
—Councilwoman Connie Manning said that Maple Park needed to be fixed up. There are volleyball poles, but no net. The baby swing is broken. There no slide for the larger kids. There needs to be work on the sandboxes. There is a place for a rocking horse but no horse.
She said the residents keep the park clean, and they deserve something. She said it may serve as an incentive to those who use the Calhoun Street Park to keep it clean. Manning said this was also a quality of life issue. City Manager Wagner said he would personally go and see what could be done.