By Betsy Finklea
The City of Dillon has been fined a $30,000 civil penalty by DHEC in relation to the demolition of the Dilmar buildings on Main Street.
In a consent order issued by DHEC, it states that violations include:
-The city’s failure ”to submit a written notice of intent to demolish to the department at least 10 working days prior to the beginning of the demolition of the commercial buildings” at  104 and 106/108 East Main Street.
—The city’s failure “to obtain department-issued asbestos project licenses prior to demolishing the commercial  buildings.”
—The city’s failure “to ensure that all asbestos-containing materials were removed in accordance with the applicable work practice requirements prior to beginning demolition.”
—The city’s failure “to use workers licensed by the Department while engaging in an asbestos project involving RACM.”
—The city’s failure “to ensure th at all ACM were disposed of in accordance with applicable disposal requirements while engaged in NESHAP-sized demolition project.”
The city is ordered to:
—”Henceforth ensure that a thorough building inspection is performed and all asbestos materials are removed by a department-licensed contractor prior to commencing renovation or demolition activities at regulated structures.”
—”Henceforth ensure that all applicable notifications are submitted to the department in accordance with state and federal asbestos regulations.”
—”Henceforth ensure that a department-issued demolition license is obtained prior to engaging in any future demolition activities.’
—”Within 60 days of the execution of this order, pay to the department a civil penalty in the amount of $30,000.”
A DHEC spokesperson told The Herald back in March that the demolition of what are being called the “Dilmar” buildings, due to the fact that they were donated to the city by Dilmar Oil Co., was halted because it was determined that the building contained asbestos and because the city had failed to get a permit from DHEC. At that time, Myrick said that the city would have to do an asbestos abatement plan on how to remove and dispose of the material.
A day prior to the beginning of the demolition of the buildings back in March, local developer Allen Watts appeared at the council’s March 12th meeting and made an impassioned plea to the Dillon City Council to save the buildings. He asked the city to give him the buildings and that he would bring them up to code with his own money. Watts’ plea seemed to fall on deaf ears, and on Tuesday, March 13th, the demolition began until halted by DHEC shortly thereafter.
At that March meeting, Mayor Todd Davis said that a detailed analysis of the building had been done, and and it would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring these buildings up to code. He said at that time that that he could canvass the community, and it would be 50-50 as to whether to tear it down. However, in a Herald reader poll, our readers voted overwhelmingly that Allen Watts should be given a chance to restore the buildings. The vote was Yes-90%-1,064 votes, No-8%-94 votes, Maybe-2%-10 votes, and Do not know or care-1%-16 votes. A protest was held at the site against taking down the buildings, and The Herald received phone calls and letters to the editor against the demolition of the buildings.
In May, after an executive session, the council accepted a bid from Applied Abatement Concepts for the abatement and demolition of the Dilmar properties for $108,000. Councilman Phil Wallace made the motion. Mayor Pro-Tem Douglas Jackson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously 7-0.
In the past couple of months, a fence was erected and rye grass was planted at an approximate cost of $2,000.
At the Dillon City Council meeting on Monday night, it was reported that the new sign advertising the property has been placed on the lot.
Mayor Todd Davis said people have been asking him about what the city plans to do with the property, but that personally he didn’t think there was any hurry to do anything. He said  they might want to replant the rye grass and plant some trees to make it more attractive. He said he was not in haste to do anything and was waiting on the right opportunity to come along.