ELLERBE — Ellerbe town council members raised concerns about cost, clarity and long-term use as they debated whether to move forward with the construction of an enclosed building for the town’s fireworks trailer.
On Sept. 4, 2024, the proposal brought before the board was to build a three-sided shelter on a gravel pad with one open end to park the fireworks trailer. The board approved $3,487 for that structure, which has not yet been constructed.
The board is now being asked to approve a closed-end building with two garage doors and a 36-inch pass-through door on a concrete slab. As members reviewed the estimates, confusion arose because the proposals listed two different prices on their pages. The estimates discussed ranged from $8,870 to $14,000.
Councilman Jimmy Bowles suggested tabling the decision on selecting an estimate, saying more clarification was needed by the Ellerbe Fire Department about both the building itself and the cost breakdowns.
Councilwoman Heather Pack said she had multiple questions regarding how the building would be used.
“What is this building for? Is it only used for just that one trailer? This is a lot of money just to store one trailer that is being used once a year,” asked Pack. “ Has there been other options to talked about where we can put it? Can we put it in the town’s lot on Crawford Road with just a car port over it? Is that an option? Is it going to be insured? I mean, then that’s just racking up more and more money for a trailer to be store that we use once a year.”
She added that while she supports providing some type of shelter, the price raised concerns.
“I’m not opposed to them getting some kind of shelter for it,” Pack said. “It don’t need to be sitting in somebody’s house like it is now. That’s just a lot of money.”
Town attorney Timothy Snead noted that the project could make more sense if the structure served additional purposes.
“Playing Bill’s Advocate, there could be some explanation that they’re also going to use this for other purposes too and that makes more sense to us,” said town attorney Timothy Snead.
In other business, the board amended the 2025-2026 budget for the Fire Department’s fire truck payment.
“I have to add the revenue from Richmond County Aid Fire Department and then amend the expense, which is the fire truck payment. I will send in two payments for this month,” said Town Clerk Jane Smith.
The Richmond County Aid Fire Department contribution is $7,500, and the fire truck payment is $62,100.00, bringing the total to $69,600.00. The fire truck is financed over 10 years and is interest-free.
During the commissioners’ reports, Pack shared updates on recent meetings with town officials and discussions related to parks, recreation and potential grant opportunities.
“I did meet with Mayor Berry and Brett Webb on Jan. 9 at Parsons Field and we went through all the things that Mr. Webb had concerns about. He might work with us to try to get some grants or something worked out. We’re going to try. I’ve talked to Chris McLaughlin today about the things that are happening with Parks and Rec and the things he thinks need to be done.
Bowles reported that a sewer break on Crawford Road took 13 days to repair. He also said leaf collection is ongoing, adding that “we are not through.”
Mayor Berry encouraged council members to spend time observing conditions throughout the town.
“I urge all of the commissioners to take at least one time month to ride through your community. Ride every part of the taxpayers to look at what’s going on. I do that every week. You can see the trash, you can see the good, the bad, the ugly, the pretty,” said Berry.
Berry also addressed concerns about recent break-ins.
“I’m really concerned about the break-ins, the shaking the door handles at nighttime being caught on cameras,” Berry said. “I’m talking to Sheriff Gulledge and lots of deputies and they’re stepping up patrol at nighttime.”
He noted multiple small waterline and sewer breaks around town and said he has looked into adding two streetlights in certain areas. Berry also said he has noticed missing street signs and signs obscured by debris and trees, and that residents have asked about removing some speed bumps.
Tax collection was also discussed, with 81% collected to date, totaling $284,056.78.