Society Hill to host DCFD Haunted House
By Jana E. Pye, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
Town council member Michelle Steen asked for council’s blessing on allowing St. David’s Academy to be the site of the Darlington County Fire Department’s upcoming Haunted House called “St. David’s Asylum” on each weekend in October.
Council unanimously approved.
“I’m so glad the building will be used!” said Debra Harrell. “That building has sat empty for so, so long.”
Doug Reimhold of the Darlington County Planning Commission addresses Society Hill Town Council
Photo by Samantha Lyles
Steen said that the building was tested for asbestos, and the only place that tested positive for it was in the boiler room. “It’s good to go,” she said. “We cleaned it up, and put all the Christmas decorations in one location. A barrier wall will be put down the hallway so people will walk in one side, go through the classrooms, and then back down the other side.”
The event will raise money for the Santa’s Fund, to purchase Christmas gifts for needy children in the county. Any additional money raised will go back into the Haunted House fund for next year’s event.
Steen said that a Halloween Carnival will be set up in the ball field for younger children and those that are too frightened to enter the Haunted House, “And I promise you, it’ll be scary!” assured Steen.
In other new business:
Darlington County Planning Commission
Doug Reimold Director of the Darlington County Planning Commission addressed council to offer his office’s assistance with establishing ordinances to maintain a development standards ordinance.
“We don’t have any zoning at present in Darlington County,” said Reimhold. “But we are available to assist with any future development or subdivisions that may wish to locate to Society Hill.”
He proposed that the County could so on a contract basis, much like what Society Hill does with the City of Darlington’s Building Inspector and Codes Enforcement Director, Henry Chapman.
Mayor and council agreed that the idea had merit, and will proceed on drawing up a contract.
Two Council Seats up for Election:
The at-large council seats for Deborah Harrell and Michelle Steen will be up for election this November 4th. To file, interested candidates must contact the
Citizens desiring to be candidates for one of the offices must file at the Town Hall with the Town Clerk at 280 S. Main Street, Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm. Books will be open for filing at 12 noon on Friday, August 21, 2015 and remain open during regular business hours until 12 noon on Friday, September 4, 2015. The non-fundable filing fee for the office of Councilmember is $40.00.
Society Hill Train Depot:
Mayor Tommy Watkins said that the abandoned tanker car left on the old rails in Society Hill has been donated to the Town of Society Hill, and will be sold for scrap metal. All proceeds from the tanker car will go into the Train Depot fund.
Old Business;
Second Reading of Town Ordinance for Burning:
Council passed the Second Reading of the Town Ordinance for Burning; this places greater safety measures for the residents, as the town had previously operated under an “open burning ordinance” which prohibited law enforcement from writing citations for improper – and dangerous – burning. Ricky Flowers of the Darlington County Fire Department met council in July, asking the town to consider adopting the County Ordinance.
Recap of July meeting:
John Wall of the Darlington County Recreation Department was introduced at last month’s meeting; he has begun working in Society Hill, and will work on programs for all ages. He told council that the paddleboats are at Lake Darpo and are available for rent.
Next regular council meeting will be Tuesday, September 8 at 6:30 p.m.
