Society Hill Council reviews finances, projects, community concerns
Mayor Cecil Graham and the Society Hill Town Council listen as Councilman Tommy Bradshaw (left) discusses the details of the LGIP program. PHOTO BY STEPHAN DREW
By Stephan Drew, Editor
The Society Hill Town Council held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 10, addressing matters ranging from financial planning and infrastructure projects to community concerns.
The meeting opened with a moment of silence in honor of Mrs. Jean Reynolds, a beloved longtime resident remembered as a hardworking and deeply involved member of the community.
Town officials reviewed the monthly financial report, which showed the town currently has $244,660.07 in its bank account. Of that total, $35,000 is reserved for contingencies, leaving $209,660.07 in available funds.
Police Chief Mark Campbell presented his monthly report, detailing local violations and recent incidents. Campbell described responding to a situation involving an individual who initially appeared intoxicated. After further evaluation, however, it was determined that the person had previously fallen and was experiencing mental distress. Following medical treatment, doctors discovered the individual suffered a cerebral bleed, which caused the unusual behavior.
Chief Campbell also reported assisting another law enforcement agency with the capture of a fugitive and noted his participation in a Legislative Roundtable held Feb. 25. He added that the town’s electronic speed signs, installed last year, have proven very effective in slowing down drivers.
Councilmember Kevin Long provided an update on the Town Hall Playground site, stating that equipment, fencing, and other large items have been removed. However, a barrier at the area still needs to be removed before further work can proceed.
Councilmember Tommy Bradshaw reported progress on the town’s Stormwater Drainage Project. Bradshaw secured a major Rural Infrastructure Grant (RIG), which will allow the project to be completed at no cost to the town. The next step will be an evaluation by engineers and a structural survey of the site before work begins. Council members estimated that actual construction could still be months away.
Council members also discussed transferring a portion of town funds into the South Carolina Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP), an investment program established by the state legislature in 1983 that allows local governments to pool funds to receive higher investment returns. The LGIP manages more than $15.3 billion in funds and currently offers an interest rate of approximately 3.8 to 3.9 percent.
Bradshaw explained that municipalities are generally advised to keep two to three months of operating expenses readily available for emergencies. He recommended increasing the town’s reserve fund from $35,000 to $50,000 and placing that amount, along with an additional $1,000 required to keep the account active, into the LGIP account. If approved, the $51,000 transfer would leave the town with $193,660.07 in spendable funds.
Mayor Cecil Graham expressed support for the concept but encouraged council members to ensure they fully understood the program before voting. After discussion, the council approved the transfer in a 4–1 vote and agreed to monitor the account’s activity closely.
Council also discussed the need for improved signage at the town’s boat landing. Officials said clearer signage is needed to notify residents of permit requirements for events and to explain what activities are allowed or prohibited at the site. Community members were also encouraged to help keep the area clean by properly disposing of litter.
During public comments, Society Hill resident Lamar Baker spoke about the ongoing problem of litter throughout the town. Baker and his wife, Nancy, spend several days each week collecting trash and debris and encouraged others in the community to become more involved in cleanup efforts.
Resident Brady Hill told council members he felt he had been “laughed at” and “ignored” during a recent meeting of the Darlington County Council when raising concerns about Society Hill’s issues being neglected by county leadership. Hill also announced that he plans to run for the District 2 seat on County Council, stating, “I’m not going to let them ignore us anymore.”
Another resident, Robert O’Neal, spoke about environmental concerns related to the former Galey & Lord textile plant. The 234-acre abandoned industrial site has been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as a Superfund site due to contamination from dyeing operations involving PFOA, PFOS, and heavy metals.
O’Neal said his property had previously been covered with sludge from the plant and that testing conducted by Yale University revealed high levels of toxic contamination. He also reported that he and his wife had undergone blood testing, which showed significantly higher levels in his own results due to his work as a farmer on the land. O’Neal said he contacted the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services but was dissatisfied with their evasive response.
Chief Campbell noted that the EPA has been conducting testing at the Galey & Lord site during the past few weeks and suggested the possibility that additional nearby properties might be affected by contaminated runoff during heavy rains.
Society Hill resident Dick Baird spoke about the Community Garden project. Baird said volunteers will gather each Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon for gardening, educational activities, and assistance. He thanked CareSouth Carolina for helping secure grants and providing much of the land used for the garden. Baird also thanked local residents for their participation and encouraged others in the community to get involved.
The next meeting of the Society Hill Town Council is scheduled for April 14.