January 2021 Administration Update

Town of Yemassee Administration Monthly Update

January 2021

Upcoming Meetings

The Town of Yemassee is shifting to electronic meetings beginning in February to help protect the public and staff from the ongoing threat of COVID-19. Meetings will be broadcasted on the Town’s Facebook page. Public Comments may be submitted no later than 6:00PM on the day of the meeting. Comment forms are available online or you may email the Town Clerk at mattgarnes@townofyemassee.org with your comment. Please include your full name and physical address for the record.

General News

We remain concerned about the health and well-being of our residents and staff as we continue to encounter COVID-19 infections locally. The Town Hall Municipal Complex remains closed to the public to help limit potential infections. Make sure you follow us on our social media platforms for the latest updates on the status of Town facilities.

During the month of January, Town Council approved second and final readings on three parcels of land totaling over 5.00 acres, with two being located on Riley Street and one is located on Cochran Street. The owner of the two properties that were annexed on Riley Street is working on conceptual plans for a duplex development. The Town supports the addition of housing inventory, which is sorely needed, and we look forward to working together with the applicant to ensure the plans presented are up to code, in alignment with our future growth framework and that proposed development is conducive to the zoning in the Riley Street neighborhood.

Town Council also endorsed a joint resolution of the Town and Hampton County Council to request approximately $375,000 of “C-Funds” for landscaping, lighting, and stormwater improvements at Exit 38 on Interstate 95. The request did reach the committee who opted to take no action at the time and requested more information from the staff working group. Town Staff remains committed to working with our partners at Hampton County.

Twenty-four more town-owned trash cans were issued in the month of January. The administration has been working over the past year to issue new town-owned cans town-wide at the rate of 12 per month and more when possible. The methodology behind it is simple. Public Works will issue them to each address in town beginning on Wesley Drive in Zone A and work in order, street by street until all cans are replaced. Each trash can has a unique serial number on the front which is tied to a specific address in town. It is important to note that if you move across town, please leave your garbage can at that address. Except for Drayton Road, which will receive new cans next month, Zone A is completed, and we are now working on Zone C. The program is funded out of the General Fund and will continue as scheduled throughout 2021. A tentative schedule of cans to be issued is attached to this email.

The Town continues to partner with SC DHEC to bring free testing events to our community. We have shifted our testing events to the Yemassee Community Center as to not interfere with Municipal Complex operations. The Town is hosting two events in February; the first event is on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, from 4:00 PM -8:00 PM and the second event will be on Friday, February 26, 2021, from 9:00 AM -1:00 PM. All events are free and there is NO requirement to bring any insurance information.  Also, you DO NOT need to be exhibiting any symptoms to be tested. SC DHEC recommends that anyone out in public should be tested monthly.

Everyone will have a chance to get the vaccine. South Carolina currently has a limited number of doses, like all states. Vaccine distribution is occurring in a phased approach. Please review the latest updates on the COVID-19 vaccine at the following website: https://scdhec.gov/covid19/covid-19-vaccine. Please bookmark this site for future reference and updates.

Beaufort County Solid Waste and Recycling Convenience Centers have implemented a decal system for anyone looking to discard waste. Decals are available only to Beaufort County property owners. Households using decals will be able to visit convenience center locations up to 3 trips per week. Contractors will not be allowed to use convenience centers.  Decals may be applied for by visiting the Beaufort County website at www.beaufortcountysc.gov

If you’ve driven downtown near our Veterans Memorial Park over the past few weeks- you’ve probably noticed a bit of work being done! The Town has contracted with an electrician to install electrical service to the park which will make it easier to host future events without needing loud generators. Ocean Woods Landscaping of Hilton Head Island will be installing an irrigation system throughout the entire park over the next few weeks in anticipation of the plantings that will line the perimeter of the park.

On the topic of parks, in December of 2020, the Town Council authorized the purchase of two acres on Riley Street, in the newly annexed portion of Yemassee. The Town has completed the closing on it and is in the process of getting the property surveyed in preparation of drafting a proposed master plan. We are actively soliciting resident suggestions in the area for what they would like to have for the Town of Yemassee Parks & Recreation on the Riley Street corridor. Currently, there is no plan on naming the park anything other than the “Riley Street Park”.

Please stay healthy and safe. We will send our next update at the end of February 2021.

Find more information at www.townofyemassee.org