By Vicki Brown
Walterboro City Council met on June 1st at the Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary and approved its goals for the rest of 2021 and for the coming 2022 year.
Many of these goals include improving water and sewer services for city residents. The goal list also includes completing many of the city’s ongoing projects, which includes finishing landscaping along the Interstate 95 Business Loop and demolishing the city’s old water tower.
Specifically, the council decided that the following items are on their list of approved goals for 2021 and 2022.
Expand Water and Sewer
1. Construct new well on Mable T. Willis Blvd. by June 2021;
2. Explore additional sources of funding for Exit 57 new trunk line (on-going);
3. Complete the design and engineering, and the permitting process for the WWTP expansion by June 2022.
Complete Existing Projects
1. 1-95 Business Loop Project Phase 2, including Gateway signage and landscaping, completed by June 2022;
2. CSX Railway line property acquired by December 2021;
3. Water Tower Park demolition and plan developed by December 2021.
Improve Overall Appearance of City
1. Formalize a redevelopment plan for the South Jefferies corridor by December 2021;
2. Develop a plan for using American Rescue Act funds by December 2021;
3. Establish a system for reporting and controlling litter by December 2021;
4. Establish a City Improvement Committee of Council to address code enforcement, litter, and other appearance issues by December 2021;
5. Create a plan for redevelopment of downtown December 2021;
6. Develop Ireland Creek master plan by December 2021.
Growth Management
1.Identify neighborhoods to annex and do cost-benefit analysis by June 2022;
2. Work with citizens in donut holes, including a marketing plan, on annexation by June 2022;
3. Implement zoning for growth management by June 2022.
Recreation/Tourism
Develop a plan and identify funding to repair/replace Wildlife Sanctuary boardwalks by September 2021;
Begin repair/replacement of Sanctuary boardwalks by June 2022;
Develop sidewalk connectivity plan by June 2022;
Grow Wildlife programming (ongoing);
Facilitate better access to recreation options by June 2022;
Explore possible park on the south side of the City by June 2022;
Evaluate usage and condition of tennis courts by June 2022.
The Walterboro City Council also voted to approve its budget for the coming 2021-2022 fiscal year. See related story in this issue.
In other Walterboro City Council news:
Finance Director Honored
Walterboro Mayor Bill Young congratulated Walterboro Finance Director Amy Risher for serving in her capacity for 25 years.
City judges will continue to serve
Several terms for judicial appointments within the City of Walterboro will expire on June 30, 2021, and those presently serving have asked Walterboro City Council to reappointment them to their current positions.
Municipal Judge Morrison Payne will continue to serve for a two-year term as Municipal Judge until June 30, 2023.
Associate Municipal Judge Tim Rowe will continue to serve as Associate Municipal Judge for two years.
His term will expire on June 30, 2023.
The term for City Prosecutor Maryann Blake expires on June 30, 2021; however, Blake will continue to serve as City Prosecutor.
If reappointed, her term will run for one (1) year and will expire on June 30, 2022.
