Ehrhardt Town Council members approved the deeding of the old Ehrhardt Town Hall and an adjacent lot next to it to the town’s Schuetzenfest Incorporated Committee. Schuetzenfest Committee member Eddie Seigler, along with committee members Flucie Sease and Donna Moore asked town council members to consider entertaining the committee’s request to own the old town hall building and vacant lot next door to it.

“We would like to renovate the building and put a new roof on it Seigler,” said, adding the Schuetzenfest Committee and Town of Ehrhardt could utilize the building on different occasions. Seigler said the committee would also like to add a permanent platform to replace a temporary truck platform used for judging during the Schuetzenfest Parade. Seigler noted the Committee has enough money in its savings account to do a “nice job” with the renovations of the old town hall building which would be an ongoing project.

Committee member Flucie Sease said the town could use the renovated building and it could become “a nice welcome center” with bathrooms and dressing rooms. Ehrhardt Town Councilman Bennie Hughes stated “we need to do something with the building.” “We had talked one time about the building being demolished,” Councilman Freddie Copeland added. “We will follow up with the lawyer and go from there,” Mayor Stanley to the committee members.

In other business:

• Chief of Public Safety Chad Dilling reported the fire department had “a pretty good month” responding to one shed fire, assisted forestry, assisted EMS and responded to one car accident. The town approved signing its contract with the County of Bamberg for $15,700 per year which will be divided into quarterly payments.

• Chief Dilling reported the police department created nine case files during the month including the following: Breach of trust of vehicle, assault, alcohol violation, and suspect arrested in damaging street signs, possession of a control substance and pedestrian versus vehicle. Chief Dilling also gave out promotions to several members of the department during the meeting telling each of the officers “thanks for a job well done.” Mayor Bill Stanley told Dilling “ Chad we appreciate the work you do.”

Dilling and Public Safety Commissioner Amy Lee were presented with a bonus check of $2,500 for the firefighters.

• In the public works department report it was reported that for the month of May, $12,529.51 was collected with 17 customers being cutoff. Collections for June to the point were reported to be $11,707.69. Council members also noted that water accounts for Carolina Eastman and Varnco allegedly had errors in their water bills. It was noted that two of the towns’ water meters that needed to be checked would be done so by the Bamberg Board of Public Works at no charge. Commissioner Freddie Copeland stated that BPW General Manager Will Martin said he was willing to help the town when needed.

• Council members said they would talk with Emergency Services Director Sharon Hammond about replacing street signs that have been stolen or knocked down. Members said they would be responsible for putting the signs back up if needed.

• Council members plan to use a $500 Recreation Grant secured with the help of County Councilman Clint Carter to purchase some playground equipment.

• Town Administrator Kathie Stroman stated that she has applied for a $25,000 grant through Rep. Bakari Sellers for sidewalks.

• Council members agreed to hire the same auditing firm for the town as before “if in reason.”

Under New Business:

• It was reported the new Stock Yard across from Hallman Sease was open.

• A problem at the ball park in the center field corner of a 10-foot lot was discussed.

• Council members approved a request from Council woman Amy Lee to use part of her room in the town hall for a relief agency the “Opening Closet” sponsored through Low Country Healthy Starts. Lee said the agency would disperse items to babies and children and would be open one day per month. The items dispersed will be donated by the public at no expense to the Town of Ehrhardt Lee said.