PROSPERITY — Prosperity Town Council unanimously agreed Tuesday to negotiate the purchase of property located at 305 N. Main St. in Prosperity, the former location of Park Sterling Bank.
“The town has had the opportunity to purchase the Park Sterling property and after several meetings between town administration, legal council, council and many hours of thought, we feel it is a good opportunity for citizens of the town of Prosperity,” said Councilman Chad Hawkins. “We feel it will benefit everybody.”
Hawkins led the meeting in Mayor Derek Underwood’s absence. Hawkins said he felt the property was an open opportunity to better serve the community.
“The town attorney and administration are prepared to make an offer on the property and have been in negotiations,” Hawkins said.
Council unanimously approved first reading to move forward with the negotiations. Second reading will be held at a specially called meeting next July 28 at 7 p.m. at Prosperity Town Hall.
Under new business, council approved first reading to allow the town to sell property located on S.C. 76 between Grace Lutheran Church and Prosperity Rikard before the Elm Street Extension. The property tax map number is #462-2-3-3 Hwy. 76.
Council agreed it would rather let the town handle the property than go through a real estate company.
“We want to keep as many dollars in our pocket as we can for the benefit of our citizens,” Hawkins said.
Second reading of the ordinance will be held at the special meeting July 28.
Council also approved ratification of a mutual aid agreement between the Newberry Police Department and the Prosperity Police Department.
Committee reports
From the electrical, streets and sanitation committee, Hawkins said there have been some electrical system load concerns behind the German restaurant in town. The line also feeds into the laundromat and two beauty salons. Hawkins said the situation was similar to a past situation behind Main Street businesses where the system load had to be increased.
Hawkins said the electrical department has agreed to come in on the weekend to transfer the load so there would be no disruption to businesses downtown.
“There’s no time frame yet, but I’m letting you know there will be a small outage on the Pearl Street side of Main,” Hawkins said.
Under parks, recreation and events, Allen Gallman said the town will have its Prosperity’s Hoppin’ pageant on Aug. 2 at Town Hall. Football registration is until Aug. 14, but participants have to register at the city of Newberry’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism department because it is their program.
Prosperity’s Town Hall has the forms, but they must be taken to Newberry.
Police Chief David Beddingfield said they have had several narcotics complaints and traffic complaints involving speed in certain areas of the town. The department has also been investigating two criminal sexual conduct cases.
“The department has been working with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Sheriff’s Office and we appreciate their assistance in helping us with those cases,” Beddingfield said.
Also within the past month, the department has had eight misdemeanor arrests including driver’s license violations, alcohol related incidents and minor drug offenses.
Although they have issued 90 traffic citations, Beddingfield said they are getting additional complaints about speeding and that the department would continue to look into it as manpower allowed.
On behalf of the utility department Ed West said they have been stepping up more with tree trimming and cutting back around power lines.
“Our employees have really mustered through the heat,” West said. “They really have been great, no matter how worn out they are.”
In other news, Hawkins reminded council that an Adopt-a-Highway, Keep Prosperity Clean trash pick-up day will be held Aug. 8 beginning at 8 a.m. at Town Hall.
“Bring a friend or five and we’ll disperse around the town,” Hawkins said.