SWANSEA -- Vincent Houser was honored as Swansea's first "Police Officer of the Year" at Swansea Town Council's December meeting.

During the ceremony, Police Chief Clif Hayes said that Houser listens to the scanner at his home and often responds on his own to help out. Before presenting Houser with the plaque, Hayes said, "I want to recognize a particular officer for doing his job. He is a reserve officer who hasn't received a dime for anything he's done. I have called on him many times, and he has been there for the town of Swansea."

Noting Houser's dedication, Hayes said, "He has logged in 1,100 hours this year."

Houser said he was honored to be the recipient of the award, adding, "I will continue to serve the citizens of the town of Swansea."

After the ceremony, Mayor Ray Spires quipped, "We call him our Barney Fife of Swansea."

Also during the meeting, Spires reported that Swansea was awarded a $250,000 S.C. Department of Transportation enhancement grant to construct a plaza at the corner of Church and Second Streets. He said SCDOT will provide $200,000 and Lexington County will provide $50,000 for the project.

Spires said the council is keeping a close watch on expenditures for the plaza. If costs exceed the grant amount, the town will have to make up the difference.

The mayor also reported that the Rural Water Development ordinance is ready for the town attorney's approval. The ordinance will probably be adopted at an upcoming council work session, Spires noted.

Branch Banking & Trust has agreed to fund the $3.5 million project, he said. The council is still looking for other funding sources at lower interest rates, Spires said.

In other business, the council passed a resolution for an extension of the 2007 budget. According to Spires, the budget should be adopted by the end of December. Budget workshops are scheduled, the mayor added. He said he hopes to have the second and third readings completed by the middle of January.

Also at the meeting, Spires expressed his appreciation to all the individuals and organizations that helped to make the Swansea Christmas parade and other festivities a success. He commended town employees for assistance with putting up the decorations throughout town and area law enforcement agencies for providing traffic control. The parade this year was the largest ever with 105 entries. Many local businesses contributed towards the fireworks display, the mayor said.

"We were able to have a great fireworks display and pay for all of them," Spires said, noting that these businesses have also agreed to help out with this program in the future.

T&D Correspondent Loretta Demko can be reached by e-mail at eeshtenem@yahoo.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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