Society Hill Council discusses garbage pickup, storage building
Society Hill Town Council discusses an issue during their meeting on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. From left to right: Councilpersons Deborah Harrell, Melissa Burch, Mayor Dwayne Duke, Councilpersons Denise Douglas and Chuck Baker. VIDEO CAPTURE BY SCOTT DIXON
By Stephan Drew, Editor
The Society Hill Town Council convened on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, for their regular meeting to discuss various matters concerning the town. The primary focus of the meeting was the review of the recently passed budget, which underwent no significant changes.
During the meeting, the topic of garbage pickup was raised. Waste Connection, a North Carolina-based company, presented an offer to provide a 96-gallon trash can for weekly pickups every Thursday. The service would cost $87 every three months. This proposal sparked a discussion among the council members about the reliability and reputation of the chosen contractor.
Councilwoman Melissa Burch expressed her concerns about the contractor selected for the construction of the town’s storage building. She pointed out that the company had received an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau, raising doubts about their competence. Burch emphasized the importance of selecting a contractor with a reliable track record to ensure that the project would be completed successfully.
In response to Burch’s concerns, Mayor Dwayne Duke assured the council and the public that he would personally oversee the project to ensure its proper execution. He acknowledged the importance of transparency and accountability in such matters, emphasizing his commitment to making sure that everything was done correctly.
Another topic that arose during the meeting was the issue of solar farms. Mayor Duke expressed his displeasure with solar farms, highlighting the fact that they pay significantly less property tax per acre each year compared to residential or commercial properties. This concern about the potential tax implications of solar farms sparked a brief discussion among the council members.
While the meeting covered several significant topics, no major changes were made to the recently passed budget. The council members reviewed the budget thoroughly, ensuring that all financial aspects were in order. The meeting provided an opportunity for council members and town officials to address concerns, raise questions, and maintain transparency in the decision-making process.
The Mayor and others will be cleaning and picking up trash on Union Street on July 29, 2023, as part of the One Street At A Time program. The next Plant Swamp will take place at 10am on August 5th at the Community Garden, located beside St. David’s Academy.
The National Night Out, to celebrate a close relationship between the community and law enforcement, will be held on August 8, 2023, at the Society Hill Town Hall, located at 280 S. Main Street. On October 2nd, the Fall Concert will be held at Japonica Hall, on Main Street in Society Hill.
As the meeting drew to a close, the Society Hill Town Council reaffirmed their commitment to serving the community and making informed decisions that would benefit the town as a whole. The discussions and deliberations during the meeting demonstrated the council’s dedication to addressing pertinent issues and maintaining accountability in their decision-making processes.
The Society Hill Town Council will next meet on August 9, 2023.