NORTH - Vandalism and petty larcenies are on the rise in North, the town’s police chief reports.

Chief Mark Fallaw told North Town Council members at their July meeting that the increase in these crimes seems to occur when school is not in session.

Mailboxes have been damaged, and rocks have been thrown through windows, he said.

“Unless you actually see the damage being done, there is not much we can do except take a report and keep it in our active file, Fallaw said. “Sometimes, we receive information that will lead to an arrest.”

The police chief also reported his department is continuing to investigate an assault of a high and aggravated nature involving a drive-by shooting on Boltin Avenue at 1:40 a.m. on June 22.

“We made an arrest last week that has provided some links to this shooting. Our investigation is ongoing,” Fallaw said.

During June, he said, North police issued 27 traffic citations including 11 for speeding. They also made four arrests, Fallaw said.

He said he is continuing to review applications for the position of patrol officer and encouraged anyone interested in applying to send him a letter and resume.

Mayor Earl Jeffcoat reported the copper tubing from the pivot-irrigation system at the sewer plant was stolen. He said copper theft seems to be on the rise and this time, North was the victim. The town is checking to see if its insurance will cover the cost of replacement.

Also during the meeting, Jeffcoat said he spoke with Joe Addison and the Courtney brothers about the property proposed for the new park. He said he also spoke with Paul Owens who deeded a two-story building to North. Jeffcoat suggested swapping ownership of the two properties so the town will own the proposed park area (including the two-story house). No one involved expressed any objections and, after some discussion, council agreed.

Jeffcoat added that he spoke with Harold Young, Orangeburg County deputy administrator for community development, who stated that when the paperwork is completed, he would send a county crew to dismantle and remove the house. Resident Joe Gleaton, however, said he knew someone who wished to purchase the house and, after consideration, council agreed those interested in purchasing the house should meet with the mayor.

Council stipulated the proposal accepted would be subject to two conditions: payment up front and a time limit (60 days) to remove the house. The Rev. Earthel Tyler had offered to install basketball goals for the playground, and Jeffcoat said he is ready to make arrangements with Tyler but has not been able to reach her. Jeffcoat is asking Tyler to contact him as soon as possible at town hall.

Council also discussed replacing a backhoe. Currently, the town owns a large backhoe that tears up a large portion of a street when it is used to dig up a sewer line. It is also too large to be used on sidewalks, it was noted. Jeffcoat and Dale Weatherford of the water department reported they located a smaller backhoe in a nearby town. The dealer offered to trade the large backhoe for the smaller backhoe and $5,500, Jeffcoat said. The smaller backhoe is about nine years newer than the large backhoe and will better suit the town’s needs, he noted. The dealer is also willing to offer a warranty with the smaller backhoe. Council voted to authorize the mayor, at his discretion, to purchase the smaller backhoe with a warranty and use the larger backhoe as a trade-in.

In other business:



* Council accepted the low bid of H. Senn Construction Co. for the town’s streetscape project. “The bids we received varied quite a bit, and H. Senn Construction Co. was the low bid by about $20,000 ... “ Jeffcoat said.

* The town’s June financial statement indicated total income of $124,372.07 and total expenditures of $46,125.88, leaving a net income of $78,246.19. The general checking balance as of June 1 was $22,680.26, and the ending balance on June 30 was $95,841.69. Jeffcoat said the actual budget and the projected budget were relatively close. It was also noted that several business licenses had not been paid and that reminders were sent to the business owners.

* Jeffcoat complimented the new lettering at town hall and the North Public Library. He also encouraged everyone to post their 911 address if they have not already done so. The 911 addresses must be posted by 2010.

T&D Correspondent Sherryl Peters can be reached by e-mail at boykinbaby@surrealestate.com.

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