Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Barnwell County’s Dixie Cup World Series Champions, the Barnwell Ponytails, were recognized by the Williston Town Council at their August 12 meeting.
“On behalf of the Town of Williston, we just wanted to recognize you girls and coaches, and not only are y’all the world series champions but your parents deserve recognition too,” said Mayor Brett Williams. “It’s great when people from a small, rural community can go and represent the state of South Carolina like that.”
The Barnwell Ponytails were recognized by the Williston Town Council for their Dixie Cup World Series win.
Mayor Williams expressed how many people at home were rooting for the team to succeed via Facebook live streams. The team received fist bumps and plaques from the council.
RECREATION DONATION
A $1,100 donation was made by First Baptist Church of Williston’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) program to the town’s recreation department.
“Our hopes are that it will help sponsor some of the children who cannot afford to play sports,” said VBS director Cathy Smith.
Smith, alongside Next Gen Pastor Joshua Helms, developed this summer’s program with a couple competitive edges to raise money for a cause close to the church’s heart – providing recreational opportunities for local youth.
“God really blessed our VBS this year in a lot of ways, so really we were just the hands for it all, but God did all the blessings,” said Smith.
According to Helms, who is new to Williston, this year’s VBS program is hoped to serve as a launching point for the church to have more impact on parents, students, and teachers, as well as the entire community.
“I thank God for blessing First Baptist Church, I thank God for allowing Him to keep y’all’s minds on our youth,” said Williston recreation director Ronnie Tobin.
“There are so many things that you all probably could have done with this,” said Tobin as he held up the check. “But you chose us, chose our recreation department, and I thank you all.”
Administrator Beasley shared that when Tobin first began as recreation director, they spoke about reaching the children whose families could not afford recreational options offered by the town.
“We talked about not turning away any kids from participating in anything no matter if they could afford it or not, and now God is blessing with this opportunity,” said Beasley.
EVENT INSURANCE POLICY
Events on town property held by organizations, groups, and individuals now must have insurance coverage.
“The municipal association recommends that the town have a policy for individuals, like an umbrella policy type, for individuals that post events on town property,” said Mayor Williams.
The council authorized Beasley and Clerk to Council Kayla Jerkins to begin constructing an insurance policy to bring back before council for approval. Beasley and Jerkins plan to work quickly on this to cater to upcoming events.
Coverage costs will vary depending on factors such as the type of event, number of attendees, if food will be served, and more. It will not be a set fee.
“The town would not make a penny off of this,” said Beasley. “This is a safeguard…It’s for the protection of not only the town, but the person holding the event too.”
Organizations or individuals holding events on town property must now contact their insurance provider to have the Town of Williston listed as an additional insured for liability purposes. A copy of this policy with the town added must be provided before the event can be approved.
The town also offers event holders to gain coverage through their avenues with the Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC). On the town’s website, event holders can submit their event to see the cost of insurance through the town’s “umbrella policy,” as Mayor Williams said.
“It is good business to have coverage at the event, not only the Town of Williston is covered by the one sponsoring the event is too,” said Beasley.
This event coverage is not applicable to town entities such as recreation department events which are already covered by town insurance policies.
COUNCIL INSURANCE
Currently, council members are considered employees of the town and therefore are entitled to benefits and insurance offered by the town.
If the council decided to remove themselves as employees, they would have to pay taxes on any stipends through a 1099 form at the end of the year. As employees, taxes are already taken out of any stipends received.
Council voted to continue being deemed as employees.
GRANT UPDATE
Three grants to improve the town’s wastewater and water systems are underway.
The Community Block Development Grant (CDBG) and the Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) are funding the installation of a new sewer line for a filtration system.
The construction process began in July and, according to Beasley, backwash and testing has been witnessed and approved. The completion date for this project is March 20, 2025.
The S.C. Infrastructure Investment Program (SCIIP) awarded the town roughly $6 million to upgrade the wastewater treatment facility, including pond liners and equipment replacement.
Currently, the town and associated entities are waiting for sludge disposal approval from state offices before moving forward with this part of the project.
Wells on Industrial Boulevard and Elko Street are set to be replaced as well. Water systems plans and specifications are to be submitted for review in August.
Work is set to begin in January 2025 and these projects are set to be completed by December 31, 2026. Construction using SCIIP funding must be completed by June 2025 per SCIIP deadline.
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