Lake Audit Positive; EMS Staff Introduced
The economy is shaping up nicely at Lake Waccamaw according to reports at the March Town Hall meeting.
Alan Thompson from Thompson, Price, Scott, and Adams P.A. said Lake Waccamaw had "growing trends" and "healthy cash flows" during the audit for this year's budget. Town Manager Damon Kempski and Town Clerk Meredith Parker are currently working on the 2023-2024 budget set to begin in July.
Mayor Matt Wilson signed two documents on behalf of the town on Tuesday evening. The board gave approval to the town manager to accept a $122,648 state-revolving loan for the construction of well number three, as well as acceptance of a bid from A.C. Shultes of Carolina Incorporated in the amount of $840,529 to put the project to work. The company specializes in water and wastewater services, and they are based out of Rocky Point.
Both the mayor and the town manager also took time to address concerns about the recent boil water advisories issued for the area. Other contractors have accidentally cut waterlines and caused interruptions of services in the town on several occasions of late. Though the advisories have led to residential complaints, town officials have the best interests of the health and safety of the public at heart.
"We are following procedures to the letter," said Kempski. "We are doing exactly as the state mandates."
According to Wilson, Lake Waccamaw's Public Works Department is not to blame for the recent water issues, but the maintenance team is working diligently to resolve any issues as soon as they happen.
The board went into closed session briefly at the meeting. They voted on an inter-local agreement with the county for flood planning services and also approved the purchase of a temporary bunkhouse for Emergency Services employees from Marty Wright. The EMS staff are currently camping out in the fire department's meeting room, so the housing will offer them a place to lay their heads between calls while on duty.
Two of the new EMS members were on hand to introduce themselves to the board and the mayor. Quinton Strickland is originally from Cerro Gordo and has been in the field for approximately six years. Strickland said he appreciates the opportunity to be of service to the town.
Douglas Sasser Jr. is from Hallsboro, and he has been in both the EMS and fire services for many years. Sasser was a big help to the startup process at Lake Waccamaw, and he assisted Chief Jerry Gore with his knowledge and know how when pulling the department together in a short period of time.