Town of Olanta to raise trash collection rates

By Bradrick McClam
Lake City News & Post Reporter
Published: July 8, 2008

Olanta Town Council members voted unanimously to approve the final reading of the 2008-09 operating budget during their meeting on June 1.
The general fund budget is $260,381 and the water and sewer budget is $357,900.
Trash charges will increase from $9.50 to $13 for residential and from $15 to $16 for commercial.
Mayor Betty Sims said though dumpster charges haven’t changed, she expects them to increase during the year as well.
In other business, council approved final reading of the housing element of the Florence County Comprehensive Plan.
The Florence County Comprehensive Plan is a vision document for the entire county and includes input from the public, businesses, municipalities and special interest groups.
In the water report, Assistant to the Mayor and Fire Chief Jimmy Coker said DHEC officials recently tested the town’s water and results are expected back soon.
Coker said a sewer pump was recently repaired and that grass cutting and tree trimming will continue during the summer.
Chief Mark Strickland said police have made arrests in a grand larceny and burglary case and that road checks will be conducted in July and August.
During public comments, Mel Thompson read a letter on behalf of Greater Olanta Youth Organization, Inc. requesting to lease gymnasium and its property on Welch Street.
Thompson said this should enable the Greater Olanta Youth Organization, Inc. to use its 501 c-3 non profit status to find funds to renovate the gym and to increase participation.
Thompson asked council to decide a time frame and to put their decision in writing.
Thompson also thanked the town for their support during the recreation department’s closing day, where more than 300 people attended.
Toni Felder, an Olanta resident, asked the council about the possibility of a water spout feature being added to the park in town for the children.
Olanta resident Mary Jane Powers asked council about the presence of more golf carts traveling on the streets.
Strickland said a man in a golf cart was hit by a truck in front of Town Hall recently and explained there is a slow moving vehicle law.
According to an information sheet received from Strickland, a low speed vehicle may travel on a secondary highway where the speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less.
The information sheet states that nothing prevents local governments from adopting more stringent local ordinances governing low speed vehicle operation.
To recognize individuals who have served or are serving in the military, Town Clerk Tara Bayse displayed their pictures on a cork bulletin board.
The bulletin board is on display in the lobby of Town Hall and is decorated with patriotic colors.
Bayse said all branches of the military are represented on the bulletin board and it took about two months to complete the project.
The next Olanta Town Council meeting will be Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the Olanta Municipal Services Building.