Lamar citizens discuss drainage troubles during council meeting
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Lamar Town Council’s May 8 monthly meeting focused mainly on the concerns of several citizens, who asked what Council was doing to help with drainage problems in town, including a large ditch along Duke Street that regularly clogs and floods during heavy rain.
Sherry McFadden, speaking on behalf of the group, asked for clarity on which government body – SC DOT, Darlington County Roads and Bridges, or the Town of Lamar – is responsible for fixing these issues, adding that residents contact authorities for help and receive little or no response.
“We’re left pretty much having to fend for ourselves…we’re being bounced back and forth,” said McFadden.
Mayor Randy Reynolds replied that the town has repeatedly asked both the state and county for assistance digging out clogged ditches, a task that requires heavy equipment Lamar does not posses, and they also have received little to nothing in response. Reynolds said that he and Council have become convinced that help is not coming from outside sources, and Lamar will have to fend for itself.
“We’ve pretty much resolved ourselves after this last go-round that it’s going to be ours. We’re going to have to come up with a plan and we’ll have to start working toward maintaining our ditches,” said Reynolds.
Reynolds added that the state has not been maintaining outflow of water to their main ditches along state highways around Lamar.
“That water has got to go somewhere,” said Reynolds. “That’s poor planning, in my opinion, saying ‘we’re gonna dig ditches and when they get full, well that’s somebody else’s problem.’”
McFadden also asked about the numerous streets around town where asphalt has been cut away to repair leaking water lines. Reynolds replied that the town is planning to repair many of these spots in late May or early June.
In other matters, Council member Mike Lloyd said the slow and steady progress to track down and repair water system leaks continues. He said that last month, Lamar purchased 3.5 million gallons of water from Darlington County Water and Sewer Authority and billed customers for 2.4 million, representing a 31 percent loss. Lloyd and Reynolds encouraged anyone who spots water running into a ditch, across a street, or sees a leaking meter to call Town Hall and report the location immediately.
Lamar Town Hall’s main number is (843) 326-5551.