Shady Dale Plans Water Study

The engineering firm of Peoples & Quigley, Inc.was given the go-ahead to prepare a study of Shady Dale’s present and future water system needs at the City Council meeting last Thursday.

The cost of the study is not to exceed $5,000, according to city officials, and will be used both in planning and applying for government loans and/or grants.

Chris Quigley, representative of the firm, stated through expertise and networking contacts his firm has been instrumental in obtaining government loans for small cities. Reference letters attesting to the firm’s work from Maxie, Lexington and Crawfordville in Oconee County were presented.

Mr. Quigley said a draft copy of the water study should be available in sixty days and a completed study within ninety days.
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Upon completion of the study, Mr. Quigley is to meet again with city officials to determine a plan of action or inaction, as the case may be. A water study is required to apply for government loans.

Mr. Quigley stated though he does not guarantee a loan, he will work with all government agencies and contractors and will be involved in all aspects where needed in loan application and completion of any water projects decided by the city.

Mrs. Jerene Nelson, a Shady Dale resident, suggested on behalf of herself and other residents, that the city charter be amended so that no members of the same family are allowed to serve on the council, zoning board or any city board or committee at the same time.

She said large companies have this policy and feels the requirement should be the same for city officials. Mrs. Juanita Tatlock, council member, said she thought the stipulation was made in the revised charter in 1993, but it was not.

Mrs. Tatlock also said the charter should be corrected as to when the organizational meeting of the council is held. Presently, according to city officials, the charter states the organizational meeting is to be held the first Thursday of January.

However, since 1997 the council meets regularly on the second Thursday of each month, conflicting with the organizational meeting schedule of the first Thursday. Council voted to amend the charter in both areas.

In other business, council approved the November 2003 minutes and November and December 2003 financial statements.