Clover Town Council Honors Staff and Approves Key Projects in December Meeting

The Clover Town Council gathered on December 9, 2024, for a regular meeting to celebrate employee milestones, approve crucial infrastructure investments, and plan for the upcoming year. Highlights included recognizing dedicated town employees for years of service, approving over $140,000 in funding for water and sewer upgrades, and discussing progress on community improvement projects. The council also confirmed reappointments to key boards and celebrated the success of recent holiday events, signaling a productive close to the year.

Public Address, Awards, and Presentations

There were no public comments, and the council proceeded to recognize town employees for their years of service:

Charlie Love: Honored for 20 years of service to the town, with a total tenure of 34 years.
Kaylee and Don: Recognized for five years of service as night-shift dispatchers for the police department.
Billy Edwards and Johnny Brown: Acknowledged for five years of work in the Parks and Recreation Department, maintaining fields and facilities.
Fred Taylor: Honored for five years of service in the fire department and promoted to Assistant Chief.

Council members expressed appreciation for the dedication and hard work of these employees.

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

The council approved the minutes of the November 12, 2024, meeting without any discussion or objections.

New Business

Board Appointments:
- Planning Commission: Olivia Cowan was reappointed. Freddie Campbell and William Pugh were recommended to fill two vacancies.
- Construction Board of Appeals: David Woolford was reappointed.
- Economic Development Board: 12 incumbents were reappointed, and Tina Farris was appointed to a vacant seat.
- Clover Housing Authority: Misty Smith was reappointed.
The council approved the appointments, with some minor adjustments, including replacing a member of the Economic Development Board.
Water/Sewer Lift Station Generators:
- The council approved the purchase of two backup generators for $109,000 from Blanchard Power Systems to service sewer lift stations.
Water Meter Reading System Amendment:
- The council approved a $34,259 contract amendment with Ferguson Water Works to comply with the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revision (LCRR) for inventory inspections.
First Quarter Budget Report (FY 2024-2025):
- Revenues were strong due to unspent state earmarks.
- Overtime expenditures increased due to Hurricane Helene response and special events. Budget amendments for minor corrections were deferred to the January workshop.
2025 Meeting Calendar:
- The council approved the 2025 meeting schedule, noting a January workshop with the Historical and Landmarks Advisory Board (HLAB).

Staff Reports

Staff reported on the following:

Holiday Events: Holiday on Main and the Christmas Parade were highly successful, with positive community feedback.
Capital Projects:
- Progress continues on the fire department substation (65% complete).
- Work on Sandy Rock Road and Gwen Street parking lot improvements is underway.
- Plans for addressing water runoff at the Clover Community Park Fieldhouse are being finalized.
Utility Updates: Lead and copper notifications were sent to 553 properties.

Council Comments

Council members praised staff for the success of the holiday events and expressed holiday greetings to the community. Several highlighted their participation in the York County Economic Summit and discussed future initiatives, including forming a veterans committee.

Executive Session

The council entered an executive session to receive legal advice related to a potential claim concerning a PEBA service purchase and property acquisition for a recreation facility. No public action was taken following the session.