BENNETTSVILLE — Tuesday night’s Bennettsville City Council meeting started the new year off with a lucrative announcement from MPD Electric Cooperative, approving a budget calendar, discussing animal control issues, traffic concerns, and a land dispute highlighting the sacrifices community members are sometimes required to make in order to pave the way forward for economic growth and development for the collective.

Grants and awards

Raymond Sides with MPD Electric Cooperative announced early on in the meeting that his company is awarding the city of Bennettsville a $50,000 check to go towards improvement projects. Sides says the money comes from a tax credit.

Lisa Jones, with the City of Bennettsville, shared two grants recently awarded to the city: the Southeast Crescent Key Grant and the USDOT Safe Streets for All Planning grant.

Road safety

At public comments, a resident reported to council that he and his neighbors believe road damage near their homes is caused by another neighbor’s 18-wheeler. The man claimed the truck is often full of lumber and said there is a roadway sign stating, “No Thru Trucks.”

Council members assured the gentleman they would investigate the issue and assess the damage he reported on Oakwood Street, Pinewood Street, Thomas Street, and Palmetto Street.

Animal Control

Another resident, Pamela Best, aired what she sees as an ongoing issue with animal control and the transparency she claims she was promised by the council.

She expressed frustration with council for the animal control measures currently in place to control the city’s stray animal population.

“No one sent me a letter in the mail,” said Best, confirming she was told by the council to expect one answering some of the concerns she previously brought before council.

“I didn’t receive one, so should I make a Facebook post blaming the post office,” inquired Best.

She went on to quote a Facebook post from the Chesterfield County Animal Shelter, who recently adopted out 86 cats.

Due to time constraints, Best’s presentation was cut short and she left the meeting without receiving answers regarding either of her concerns.

Later in the meeting, council discussed the issue of animal control.

Members determined the main cause for the city and county’s animal control problems stem from issues with capacity.

“We are asking for help, we need the help. If anybody out there listening can help, we need it,” said councilman Tyrone R. Davis.

Land dispute

An approximately eight-year battle between the city and local resident Lucy Parsons was decided, for now, Tuesday night.

Speaking before council, Parsons explained the land in question is, for her, family-owned land that she desires to sell, making way for a retail center to take its place.

Aside from the family homestead, the 8.6 acres have lain empty and dormant, waiting for a decision to be made. The city would like to cut in a new road and turn lane, using up roughly 15-20% of Parson’s property. She says this plan would make an existing deal, code named Fahrenheit, to turn the property retail, null and void.

City Administrator Simon said DOT determined the intersection is currently unsafe and hazardous for drivers. Parsons’ counters the land has three roadside frontages and two outlets.

Some council members, particularly Cy’Heim McRae, asked to table the issue so council could obtain further information from both Parsons and DOT officials. Simons responded that he was told by DOT if a decision was not made by the board Tuesday night, the project would be declared dead in the water and funds would then be reallocated elsewhere.

McRae still recommended tabling a vote on the matter until the following week, and if that proves to be too late for DOT officials, then just letting the project die.

“It sounds like if we go with it there will be some problems and if we don’t go with it there will be some problems. On the other hand, it seems as if we don’t table it, there are some council members not ready to vote in the affirmative, therefore the project would be tanked anyway,” reasoned McRae.

Sharing an opposing view, Councilwoman Harpe said she could not envision willingly voting to pass up on an opportunity to support local growth and development.

After much discussion on the matter, council voted to approve the new road and turn lane on Parsons’ property. Councilmen Cy’Heim McRae and William Jennings Jr. were the only dissenting votes.

SC Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network Mutual Aid

Thinking outside of Marlboro County, council members voted unanimously Tuesday night for the city of Bennettsville to join the list of South Carolina cities who volunteer to respond in the event of a water disaster in the region.

Being included on the list does not require or obligate the city to assist other communities should an emergency arise, but it opens the opportunity for Bennettsville to aid other communities in the region should they experience drinking water or wastewater disaster.

The city administrator clarified for council the distinction is voluntary, and the city is not obligated to devote its resources to other communities. Simon went on to say he would be making the determination on the city’s ability to respond on a case-by-case basis.