COUNCIL MEETING

MEGGETT TOWN HALL

November 26, 2007

7:30PM

Mayor Grange Coffin called the meeting of the Meggett Town Council to order. Present were Pro-tem Josh Garvin, Councilmen Tom Hutto, Keith McCarty and Buster Herrington. Also present were Attorney Sally Rhoad, Administrator Ellie Prentiss and Town Clerk Gail Seabrook. Ellie Prentiss led the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Introduction of Sally Rhoad

Mayor Coffin introduced Attorney Sally Rhoad and announced that she would be acting as the Town's Attorney until Attorney Dennis Rhoad would be able to resume his position.

Approval of minutes

The minutes from the October meeting were reviewed and approved.

Meggett 1925

Ellie Prentiss stated that the final invoice from SCE&G was received and an adjustment had been made and the final bill came out to be $36,969. The Grant could now be closed out.

The grant for the second phase of the street scaping was granted an extension by Kathy Rice. Ms Rice knowing the Town's circumstances of losing their construction manager and trying to find a replacement and the preparation of drawings for the project allowed an extension for the project until December, 2008.

Ordinance #2007-07 (Cable Provider Franchise Fee)

The second reading for the Comcast Cable Service Provider Franchise Fee Rate was read. Mayor Coffin asked for a motion to accept the terms. Councilman Buster Herrington made a motion to accept the agreement and the motion was second by Pro-tem Josh Garvin. All voted in favor.

Annexation: TMS #160-00-00-044 (4082 Legacy Lane

The first reading of the request for the property located at 4082 Legacy Lane, TMS 160-00-00-044 to be annexed into the Town of Meggett. Lawrence and Irene Green explained that they thought that the property was part of the Town of Meggett and found out that at present they were not annexed as part of the Town. They have written a letter expressing their desire to become incorporated into the Town. A motion was made by Councilman Tom Hutto to accept their property as an annexation. The motion was second by Pro-tem Josh Garvin. All voted in favor.

Old Business

Hunting Regulation and discharging of fire arms

Due to the many inquires about hunting in the area, the Town asked representatives from the SC Department of Natural Resources to come and perhaps go over some of the regulations for hunting in the area.

Councilman Buster Herrington introduced Chison Frampton and William Ladue. They talked on regulations, safety, and courses available that the public could take to learn hunting and gun safety. Topics of discussion were regulations for deer hunting  and bird hunting. A  person could not be closer than 300 yards to a residence  when deer hunting. When bird hunting, there is no set distance required by law. The law basically just indicates that a fire arm should be discharged in a safe manner. It is up to the individual to determine what a safe manner is. It would become a civil issue if property damage or injury is sustained.

SCPA Lease Renewal

Councilman Tom Hutto inquired if the leases had been renewed. Ellie informed him that both tenants had renewed their leases. Polo Country Properties has signed their lease for space in the SCPA Building for one year with the option at the end of that time, to renew for two years.

Alliance Meeting

Councilman inquired if Mayor Coffin had made any success in trying to set up an Alliance Meeting with the other municipalities in the area. Tom reinforced the idea of the importance that we should join together and express interest in the development of the East Edisto property of West Vaco. Mayor Coffin said that he had been unable to get Opel Baldwin or Jackie Heyward to commit to a date.

Trident Technical College Campus

Councilman Tom Hutto asked if anyone had any information on the plans for a campus to be placed somewhere in this area by Trident Technical College. He inquired as to what we could do to help move this project forward. Mayor Coffin suggested that he would contact Trident Technical College and get information about the plans for a campus in this area and in what ways could the communities be an asset to promote this plan.

Audit

Councilman Tom Hutto asked what the status was in finding an auditor. Administrator Ellie Prentiss said she had received a proposal of $13,500 from an auditing firm to do our actual audit. Feeling this was a little high, she called Jerry Killen for his suggestions. He agreed that was outrageous for a town this size and suggested we contact Henry Wilson. She said she has sent the last audit information to Mr. Wilson and hope to receive his proposal as soon as possible.

Councilman Tom Hutto asked to try and get a possible date for Jerry Killen to complete the audit.

New Business

There was no new business.

Miscellaneous Reports

We have received a letter from Jerry Killen stating his proposal for doing the financial statements and working with us in an advisory role for our next audit. As soon as the letter is signed, Jerry will begin on our financial statements. A copy of this letter is placed in the Councilman's folder for their review.

We have received the drawings regarding the drainage study from the Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company. These need to be reviewed and any discrepancies reported as soon as possible.

January 15^th at 10AM, Charleston County will be updating their Comprehensive Plan and Andrea Pietras has requested that the town have representation from our Council in attendance.

Our Christmas Tree Festival is this coming Saturday 10AM - 4PM. We have not had as many volunteers this year as we have in the past. We may have to discontinue the Festival in the future if the lack of interest increases.

The Christmas tree lighting will be Saturday night at 7PM. Christ St. Paul's Episcopal Choir will be singing for us again this year.

There will be no regular schedule Council meeting in December.

Scheduled Meetings:

Public Comments:

Resident Tommy Butler inquired if there were any hunting leases on Harmony Hall.

Response: DNR representatives provided him with a phone number to verify that information.

1-800 922-5431

Resident Bill Cox asked if the Town could really get involved with getting water down Ethel P.O. Road.

Response: Mr. Cox was told the information that CPW had given to the Town. They indicated that Grant money would be hard to get because only a small percentage of the residents beyond the Petersfield area fall into a low income bracket.  It was not cost feasible for them to put in the line themselves.

Mr. Cox reminded everyone that a devastating fire had just occurred down in that area and because no fire hydrants were in the vicinity, it made it difficult for the fire department to save the home. He continued by saying we deserve fire protection and asked what could be done to possibly have a fire facility built somewhere in the local area of Meggett.

Response: Councilman Tom Hutto said he would seek grants to get water down Ethel P.O. Road.

With no further comments, Pro-tem Josh Garvin made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Buster Herrington seconds the motion.

Submitted by Town Clerk: Gail Seabrook