As pandemic numbers rise again in Columbus County, city and town officials are taking measures to make sure things keep running smoothly. Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting at Lake Waccamaw was no exception, and the small staff of three are doing what they can to keep themselves healthy while still serving the public.
Town Manager Damon Kempski addressed concerns expressed by Commissioner Rosemary Dorsey about COVID precautions, and says he has taken to greeting customers and concerned citizens right outside the corridor of the building. “Folks are still welcome to come here,” Kempskis said. “We are trying to keep things outside, and keep this area to a minimum of exposure.”
The Town Hall Staff consists of Kempski, Town Clerk and newly appointed Finance Officer Meredith Parker, and Customer Service Representative Sarah Coffman.
Mayor Daniel Hilburn said that it’s important to keep employees from getting sick. By having protocols in place throughout the pandemic, there hasn’t been a lapse in service.
“The door to the chambers needs to stay locked at all times as well as the front door,” Hilburn said. “We will continue to go about the business of just having people drop things off, and if they need to come inside, they need to knock or call.”
If someone in the building becomes sick, Hilburn said ,the biggest consequence can mean a total shutdown of services, and that is something that the Town Council is eager to prevent.
Dorsey also said there is a need to figure out a method of having local firefighters continue their training amid the Delta variant surge, considering the fire department is a town building, and is also closed to the public. Over $10,000 in grants were received recently for fire services, and the state allowed no leeway for the 36 hours of training in 2020.
Kempski said he plans to work with Fire Chief Barney Tyler to work out how to safely and effectively meet training requirements.
