2/15/07

‘No Change’
Tempers flair at County Council over water, sewer plans
By Cathy Gilbert

CATHY GILBERT/Manning Times
County Controller Lynden Anthony, Fleet Managment Supervisor Michael Braxton and Benefits Manager Linda Taylor are presented a plaque by Dwight Stewart Monday night from the S.C. Association of Counties for “prompt and accurate reporting of property and liability claims” – the second fastest in the state.

Residents of Francis Marion Subdivision were out in force Monday night as an ordinance to grant a water and sewer franchise to the Town of Summerton caused tempers – and voices – to rise in protest.

“There is a development (by The Shuler Group) going up at the old Polly’s Landing site and the developer has asked that the Town of Summerton provide water and sewer to the development,” explained County Administrator Bill Houser before the public hearing for the ordinance began.

“The developer could put in his own system, but after a cost analysis, he found that it would be cheaper for him to pay the costs associated with running the lines from Summerton rather than building his own treatment facility,” Houser continued. “Summerton cannot provide public utility services outside the town limit without a franchise agreement with the county. This is not an exclusive franchise agreement and the Town of Summerton has agreed to offer all residents of the area an opportunity to tap onto the lines that The Shuler Group has asked for.

While there are no immediate plans to run water and sewer lines to the Francis Marion subdivision, that area has been included in Summerton’s request for a franchise.

“The town has no plans to run water and sewer lines to the Francis Marion or Princess Pond subdivision and more importantly, does not have the funds to do either of those projects,” said Summerton Town Administrator Rebecca Rhodes. “However, if 20 or 30 years down the road, residents of those areas start having trouble with their septic systems or their wells start failing, public services could be an option if funds could be found.”

One of the sticking points for the Francis Marion residents is the fact that if water is brought to their neighborhood and their well should fail, DHEC will not issue a new well permit, according to Clarendon County Planning Director Maria Rose.

Given the financial burden taking water to the neighborhood poses, however, that is mostly a moot point,

As citizen after citizen rose to protest Summerton’s request for a franchise, not only did it become clear that they did not understand that water services were years, perhaps decades away, but allegations of corruption found their way into their remarks.

“If the developer wants a water system, let him pay for it,” said resident Charles Ward. “It’s always about money from the local government on up;the developer has his hands in government’s pockets.”

Councilwoman Margaret Jackson was quick to refute those allegations.

“I resent that remark,” she said. “There is absolutely no tax money in this project, all we are doing is approving a franchise. That’s all.”

Resident Ann Mouraine rose in resistance to change … of any kind.

“Why can’t we live like it was in the 1940s. Those were good times,” she said. “It’s not what the common people want. We have to work harder that you do for what we have. Where do you draw the line? We give our opinion, but it just flies over your head.”

Councilman W.J. Frierson countered Mouraine with “It wasn’t a good time for my people.”

Chairman Dwight Stewart explained repeatedly that the idea of bringing water and sewer to the subdivision was not something that would happen in the near or perhaps even distant future, but his explanation seemed to fall on deaf ears.

“Change is coming and if anyone tells you it isn’t that is a lie,” he said, his characteristic patience obviously tried.

“But we are trying to manage that change for the benefit of the taxpayer. It is no secret that our long-term goal is to get everyone in the county on public water and sewer and make that option available to everyone. But it will not happen quickly,” he added.

Closing the public hearing with “if you’ve beaten the horse to death, dismount,” Stewart reminded the audience that the issue is with a private developer for a development that will serve to increase the tax base in the county.

Most of the protesting residents left the meeting before the vote was called, which passed unanimously at third reading and goes into effect as law.

In other council business, first reading was given to an ordinance to create a one percent “hospitality tax” to be put upon all prepared food and beverages, including those sold in grocery stores and convenience stores. This issue is proposed in light of state mandated controls on raising taxes – this year no more than 3.5 percent.

First reading was also given to a re-zoning ordinance for property in the White Oak area (at the rear of the Wyboo development) that would change the area from single to multi-family, paving the way for condominiums or townhouses.