BRANCHVILLE - Town Council members approved first reading of several ordinances during their regular meeting Monday night, including a proposed ordinance modeled after the Inman-Campobello Water District setting summer sewer rates and an ordinance concerning the rental agreement with the Regional Medical Center HealthPlex.

Council will hold a called meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, for a public hearing on the proposed ordinances as well as final reading.

Council members also approved an agreement with Safety Professionals of Aiken to do asbestos testing on the site of the former Town Hall as well as a campground site, where debris from the town hall was taken after the March 2008 tornado. The work will cost Branchville $29,090 and will only determine whether or not there is asbestos on the sites, it was noted.

If asbestos is found, the town will have to pay for cleanup of the sites, a cost that Mayor Tim Cooner estimated possibly could reach $1 million.

The need to test for asbestos arose after a complaint was filed with the Department of Health and Environmental Control, which called town officials in for a hearing several months ago.

Also during the meeting, Cooner said two complaints filed against him with the South Carolina Ethics Commission concerning how the town handled grant funds were dismissed and that he anticipated a remaining third complaint also would be dismissed.

Cooner reminded council members of the opening ceremonies for the Raylrode Daze Festivul on Sept. 25.

The grand marshal for this year's parade is 1968 Branchville High School graduate Becky Kemmerlin White.

Orangeburg County Councilman Harry Wimberly will serve as the guest conductor.

In other business:

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Cooner reported the new water tank for the town is anticipated to go online for use in the next week.

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Council approved hiring temporary workers to assist with cleanup before and during the festival. Those interested can apply at Town Hall.

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T&D Correspondent Phyllis A. Overstreet can be reached by e-mail at paoverstreet@bellsouth.net. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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