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  County Council makes progress on several county matters in short meeting web posted September 2, 2009 EDGEFIELD – The Edgefield County Council held their September meeting Tuesday night with Vice-chairman Willie Bright being absent and a short agenda which allowed the meeting to end in less than an hour, a pleasant surprise to most members. “I’m not used to going home this early,” Chairman Kneece said after the meeting concluded. With no ordinances or resolutions on the agenda the first item was a funding request by Tricia Butler, Voter Registration Director, to purchase replacement batteries for the 77 voting machines used in elections in the county. The life of the batteries used in the machines is between four and five years and they should be replaced before the June primary in 2010. The cost of each battery is $79 bringing the total to $6,083. With very little discussion the motion was made and passed to allow the purchase and the funds would be taken from the county council’s contingency fund, which currently sits at over $100,000 Administrator Pettigrew said. Angie Rita of the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) spoke and asked that September 12 be proclaimed as “Community Service Day” across the county in conjunction to the program the DJJ is undertaking having those housed in their facilities come to their home county’s and perform a community service. Ms. Rita stated she hoped that church groups and others would join in on the day of community service to take on projects of their own. The DJJ workers and youths will take on a project at the intersection of Highways 430 and 25 that the state started and then lost funding before it could be completed. The council voted unanimously to sign on to the proclamation. Next on the agenda was the purchase of two new scoreboards and bleachers for Bettis Park totaling $21,498.96 for two new multi-purpose fields that is currently being worked on at the park, which is leased by the county. The cost of the two sets of bleachers showed a lowest bid by BSN Sports at $8,688.38 and the cost of the scoreboards showed a low bid by Electro Mech Scoreboards at $12,810.58. The council voted to approve the purchase of the equipment on a 4-0 vote. County Line Fire Chief Tim Malcolm addressed the council for a letter to be signed stating the fire department was in good standing with the county and properly funded in order to obtain financing for a new pumper truck. County Council Chairman Monroe Kneece stated the letter had been signed with the understanding that if the County Line Fire Department defaulted on the loan it would not fall back on the county to assume the debt. Chief Malcolm stated that was correct. The amount of the loan would roll two other financed pieces of equipment into the load, another pumper turck and a brush truck, for a total loan in the amount of $292,000.27 that would be paid back in semi-annual payments over the next nine years. The fire department receives roughly $65,000 a year in funding and the payments, not counting interest would account for almost half of the funding to pay for the equipment. The action did not require a vote by the council. Pastor Melvin Gordon spoke on behalf of the Northside Park restroom that has been discussed for months. He stated that the last perk tests performed by the Health Department did not pass and that they were looking to expand the scope of the park to include more of the available property for more tests to be conducted. “Right now I’d just request more time,” Pastor Gordon said. The council took the matter in as information. Ron Cales addressed the county council on the new ordinance setting times of operation of on premise alcohol sales. The council took no action on the matter and Mr. Cales stated he would be challenging the ordinance in the near future. No other action was taken. The law will be enforced as of September 1, 2009. Clerk of Court Shirley Newby address the council on changing the way jurors are paid for their service. Mrs. Newby said the rates of pay have not been changed since 1976 and are set at $10 a day plus mileage. Mrs. Newby stated she suggested that the jurors be paid a flat rate of $20 a day of service with no mileage, which was in line with other counties. Doing so would also speed up the process as jurors would not have to stand up in court and estimate their mileage. “It’ll be a lot less work on you,” Chairman Kneece said. “Yes, it will help us a lot,” Mrs. Newby replied. The council voted to approve the change. Mrs. Newby said it would not affect the budget since funds already allocated would cover the change. Administrator Pettigrew stated that the Football Jamboree would be held at the Bettis Park on September 12 to kick off the season. Soccer season will start two weeks later. He also announced his intention to leave as administrator on September 4 and thanked the council for the opportunity to serve for the past two years. The county council appointed Clerk to Council Barbara Stark to fill in as interim administrator until a replacement could be found. With no other business the meeting was adjourned. © Copyright 2009
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