ST. MATTHEWS - Reflective house numbers must be placed in front of all residences in St. Matthews so the emergency services will be able to easily locate the building when called, Mayor Joe Sikes said during Tuesday's town council meeting.

Residents who have not met the requirement of having the numbers in place will be given a 90-day notice on April 1, the council agreed.

Sikes said any residents in violation on July 1 will be fined $500.

The numbers may be obtained at the Emergency Services building, he said, adding that the town will provide help for the elderly.

Also during the meeting, Calhoun County School District Superintendent Ken Westbury addressed council concerning the disposition of the skate park and the town's need to replace it with another recreational facility as required by the South Carolina Parks and Recreation Department.

"We are in for changes," Westbury said, noting that the district will be leaving its present location which includes the property on which the defunct skate park is situated. He said that he knew the town had a 20-year lease on that parcel but had no idea what the final disposition of the whole piece of property would be.

Westbury said if the town doesn't find an alternative location, there might have a problem if they expend money to put a facility on that piece of land that will be up for sale after the lease expires in 14 years. He said the school district's attorney is working on selling the district's surplus property.

Sikes told him the town is on a "tight deadline" to replace the skate park with another facility, He said there is $15,000 worth of concrete at that location.

Westbury said the district is "ready to negotiate out of the lease."

Ed Morris of the St. Matthews Area Revitalization Team said SMART is also concerned about the resolution of the skate park issue since the organization has a $5,000 Tri-County Roundup Grant to help defray costs of the new facility.

Town Administrator Dick Whetstone reported that town employees removed the skate park ramps after the company that purchased them never came for them.

Morris reported that the St. Matthews Area Revitalization Team will hold a town cleanup on April 12.

Since the town will have a page on the SMART Web site, Morris also wanted to know what computer skills the new town clerk will have once current Town Clerk Sheryl Bookhart retires at the end of the month.

In addition, Morris reported that the streetscape project will be rebid at 2 p.m. on March 20.

In other business, town engineer Kevin Stricklin said the wastewater treatment plant spray field purchase is in the review phase of engineering and environment. He said the town is trying to get support from residents in the area and Councilman Harvey Howell is canvassing the area. Stricklin said the property is well hidden and is a good distance from other properties, adding there should be no concern about the odor of the affluent to be sprayed.

"The treatment plant is doing a great job," he said, noting there should be no concerns about what is being sprayed. The land agreement and soil report are pending, from which he said he expects no negative impact.

Also during the meeting:

* Calhoun County High School Coach Zam Fredrick asked council for free use of the armory for his basketball team this Saturday to have a victory celebration after winning the state championship. Council unanimously approved the request.

* Whetstone reported that auditors were in the middle of the annual audit.

* Whetstone reported that one of the old dump trucks bought from state surplus six years ago needs major engine repairs. He said the town is looking for another surplus truck which would be more cost effective than repairing the broken one.

* The administrator noted that Town Clerk Sheryl Bookhart is retiring from the town after 28 years of service on March 31. There will be a town-wide reception for her from 3 -6 p.m. that day.

* The town's financial report for January showed deposits of $79,930.61 and expenditures of $57,564.84, for a balance of $50,439.75.

Whetstone said $8,782 went to a 1969 RDA loan for the next-to-last annual payment. The water and sewer report showed deposits of $47,741.66 and expenditures of $124,794.58, for a balance of $199,635.55. Whetstone said $1,044 was paid for an attorney's bill, $10,219 for yearly insurance and $50,000 for the used fire truck recently purchased.

T&D Correspondent Larry P. Jordan can be reached by phone at 803-874-3276.

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