Lamar seeks solution for ditch drainage
One of several Lamar ditches plagued with poor drainage and standing water
Photo by Samantha Lyles
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Lamar Town Council convened their regular meeting Monday, August 8, and discussed an ongoing problem with ditches around town experiencing poor drainage and standing water – a problem that breeds mosquitoes and presents a danger to the public.
These flooded ditches include several sites around Duke Street, Pine Street, and West Pearl Street, though some of the problem ditches are only flooded on one side of the road, suggesting a collapsed or clogged drainage pipe.
Council members and Mayor Randy Reynolds talked over options, including their repeated pleas to SC Department of Transportation and Darlington County Roads and Bridges to help dig out these overgrown ditches. Reynolds noted that Lamar’s bucket digger is in poor mechanical condition and cannot be used at present, but all agreed that they must keep investigating ways to get the water flowing again.
“It’s going to take at least a track hoe to get back in there and do something about it,” said council member Jackie Thomas. “There’s a lot of people that live back there and we shouldn’t forget about them… they need our assistance.”
Council member Mike Lloyd addressed another water-related problem, saying that he continues to hunt down leaks in the town’s water system in an attempt to account for approximately 1 million gallons of water the town purchased from Darlington County Water and Sewer Authority, but did not bill to town water customers.
Reynolds added that each time the town locates a leaky line and digs to repair it, they are left with another hole in the road that needs repaving. Locations in need of repair include two sites on Pearl Street, and others on Warren Street and Rogers Street. He suggested quick action to secure paving services for these repairs while the weather is still warm, lest the town be forced to postpone repairs for the winter.
Council member Willie Howell said council should start planning for the annual Christmas light display, suggesting that the town take inventory of wires and bulbs and perhaps contract an electrician to wire the lines. Howell has previously noted that last year’s heavy rains caused numerous bulbs to shatter, and contracting a professional might result in more stable current flow and preserve the town’s supply of the nostalgic large colored bulbs.
