The Chapin Town Council held its first meeting of 2016 last night, with new council member Mike Clonts being sworn into office along with 12-year incumbent Kay Hollis. Chapin Municipal Judge Gary Reinhart administered the oath of office to the two council members at the beginning of the council meeting.
Newcomer Clonts was also unanimously elected to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore for the council for the next two years. Former Mayor Pro Tem Vivian “Bibi” Atkins was recognized for her 16 years of service at the council meeting as well as at a community reception held prior to the council meeting where citizens enjoyed talking with council members, taking photos and eating refreshments.
Mayor Skip Wilson stated his renewed commitment for putting past grievances behind and focusing on working together to understand the many challenges and issues facing the town, which include increased development, expanding infrastructure and keeping up with the rapid advances in technology to insure town operations were efficient and productive.
The proposed municipal budget for 2016 was passed by a 3-2 margin. The council also approved first reading of ordinances to increase sewer rates to be able to support debt payments for the planned $12 million wastewater treatment plant expansion and another to change the council meeting date from the first Tuesday of the month to the third Tuesday. For the past 18 months, council meetings have been rescheduled to the third Tuesday to allow more time for staff to prepare monthly departmental reports, most notably for updated financials to be accurate after the close of the month.
The Mayor also recognized Clemson students Jared Adams of Chapin and Nick Dalpiaz of Easley for their involvement with Student Painters, a national organization that promotes entrepreneurial development among college students. Adams will run a small business during the summer in which he and his team will market services and provide exterior painting for commercial and residential buildings while earning money to further his education.