The town of Lake Waccamaw was all about getting the job done at last night’s meeting.
Valerie Riege, retired Navy officer and resident, asked permission from the board to paint pickle ball lines on the existing tennis courts at Elizabeth Brinkley Park. She said the sport is a good way to get baby boomers like herself who suffer from arthritis and other ailments “moving and shaking.” She said the work would be done at her expense.
A motion was made and passed to allow Riege to do so in the coming spring.
Ground penetrating radar to be purchased to repair water and sewer lines
Approval was also given to Town Manager Damien Kempski to purchase a ground penetration radar to be used by Public Works for the precision repair of water and sewer lines when a breakage occurs.
The radar will be able to find anomalies, pipes, and other lines in the ground, anywhere from 4-14 feet deep, that a probe may not always find. It will be purchased from funds from both water and sewer departments since both will be using the radar to make quick work of broken lines.
“The machine is quick, efficient, and portable. It will help locate water and sewer lines, and they don’t have to be metal” to be detected, explained Kempski.
Grants to be sought by the town
The town will not need to invest money up front to seek help from a firm specializing in finding grants to improve storm water drainage in the area.
Kempski said has reached out to an engineering firm who is familiar with Lake Waccamaw and its drainage issues, and they will complete a hydrology study necessary when requesting these types of grants. The study is free and will prove the town’s need for assistance.
If no grants can be found after the study, then Lake Waccamaw will not be charged for services by the firm.
Littrell grateful for family and staff following illness
A tearful Mayor Pro Tem Terry Littrell thanked all family and town staff members for coming to his aid last month when he suffered a stroke.
Littrell especially praised Scott Hyatt, Police Chief of Lake Waccamaw, for jumping in the water fully clothed and pulling him out of his boat to get him to first responders quickly.
“Scott, I owe you a new pair of shoes,” said Littrell.
He also expressed appreciation for all the prayers, well wishes, and phone calls he received during his illness. “You all have been such a blessing to me.”
Rumors about $2.5 million quashed
Littrell also put rumors to bed about the use of the $2.5 million grant the town was awarded by the state. County officials and the Jobs Foundation have been pressuring the town to allow the funds to be used at the state park. The money is noted in the state budget as a “grant in aid” to Lake Waccamaw.
“The money will be used for infrastructure needs. End of discussion.”
The money will not be used for the upgrade of bike and pedestrian trails at the Lake Waccamaw State Park.
