WINNSBORO – With the new downtown farmer’s market slated for a June 29 opening, the Chamber of Commerce found itself behind the eight ball recently with Town ordinances. Terry Vickers, Chamber President, told Town Council during their June 18 meeting that while the Chamber is not charging growers and artisans during this first year of the market, growers would, she said she recently discovered, be hit with the Town’s peddlers’ license fees.
Don Wood, Town Manager, said peddlers’ fees were $50 a day, which was a little steep for the burgeoning market, and suggested Council consider an annual farmer’s market fee of $20. Council voted 3-0 to waive the peddlers’ fee entirely, until a new ordinance could be devised to cover the market.
Vickers said the market will open temporarily at the old Ford dealership on Congress Street and will move to the first floor of the Town Clock once renovations there are completed. She said she hoped to expand the market to the promenade behind the Clock as well, eventually moving into the former Voter Registration building on E. Washington Street, if that building can be rescued from the wrecking ball. Christ Central Ministries is currently in talks with the County for the revitalization of that building.
Council also approved the purchase of a pair of service trucks – one for the Maintenance Department for $12,380, and another for the Gas, Water & Sewer Department for $21,000. Council also OK’d a request by Councilman Clyde Sanders to donate $200 out of his community funds to donate to Christ Central Ministries, as well as a request from Councilman Jackie Wilkes to donate $250 from his funds to the local 4-H Club’s summer camps.
In his last meeting as a Councilman, Bill Haslett requested $150 to cover mileage expenses incurred by HandMade in America for their last visit to Winnsboro.
Following executive session, Council voted to send the Town of Ridgeway a bill for $13,677 to cover the cost of converting their water treatment from Chlorine to Chloramine. The total cost of the conversion, Council said, was $172,000, the balance of which was paid by Winnsboro.
