Town Elections

The Town of Chapin will have municipal elections on November 7, 2017, and the filing period runs from August 11 through August 25. The forms are available on our website. There is a $50 filing fee for the office of mayor and $25 filing fee for a council position. This year there will be three openings on the ballot – mayor and two council positions. The requirements to run for an elected position in Chapin are a candidate must be 18 years of age or older, possess a valid SC voter registration and be a legal resident of the Town of Chapin.

Zoning - Use of Temporary Signs

The use of feather banners, shown in the photograph to the right, are not allowed in our Zoning ordinance. We have seen a steady growth in the use of these "temporary" signs. Our Zoning ordinance (Article 9) allows for temporary banners to be used for 30 days to promote a special event or occasion, but those must be attached to the building. We are giving businesses the month of August to enjoy the last hurrah of these banners and ask for them all to be removed by August 31.

We do allow temporary signs for charitable, civic or non-profits to promote events but those should not go up before 30 days prior to the event and must be removed within five days of event's conclusion.

Political signs are only allowed for 60 days prior to an election and must be removed within seven days of the election. So for the candidates reading this, you can put signs up on Friday, September 8! And you must get the property owners' permission to locate a sign in front of their business, residence or vacant property. Do not attach signs to trees, traffic signs, utility poles or on public property (public schools, Chapin library, Town Hall, etc.)

All signs, whether charitable, political or business-related, must not be put in the road right-of-way. If they are, our police will pick them up and bring them to Town Hall, where you can retrieve them. You can review our Zoning ordinance online by clicking here.

Baking Soda Can Help You Avoid Sewer Emergencies

If you have a solids tank as part of the sewer service for your house, you know that tank pumping service and inspections are vital. It's recommended you have your tank inspected every 1-2 years and pumped every 3-5 years. But if you have issues, you may need to schedule pumping and inspections more frequently, costing you extra money.

There are a number of ways to help care for your tank system, and one easy and affordable option is using baking soda. How you may ask? By using baking soda along with other natural ingredients like vinegar and lemon juice, as your cleaning agent for sinks, tubs and toilets, you prevent killing off the good bacteria needed to break down solid waste in the sewage that ultimately flows to the town's collection system for treatment at the wastewater treatment plant. Without good bacteria in your tank, you may experience clogs, back-ups and odors that adversely affect your home's plumbing and the community sewer system as a whole.

Using baking soda is very easy. Mix 1/4 cup of baking soda with a 1/2 cup of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to make your own natural cleaning agent. The baking soda will fizz up to loosen dirt and grime in your tub and drains. It's a great cleaner and your LETTS system will thank you!

Summer 2017 Utilities Newsletter

Labor Day is Fast Approaching

Chapin's biggest outdoor festival of the year is just a few weeks away. We are excited to have a number of activities available for all ages to enjoy, including our classic car show, children's play area, street vendors, food, live music, annual book sale, model train display and of course, our Labor Day Parade. Join us as we honor Chapin Pharmacy's Doc Crawford, this year's Grand Marshall. He turns 100 years old in September, so come out and wish him an early Happy Birthday!