No Movement on FOMZI Deal
WINNSBORO – Town Council announced Tuesday night that it had been awarded a $100,000 grant for the Mt. Zion Green, a park and walking trail planned on the property in front of the Mt. Zion School. To receive the beautification grant, Council must contribute $25,000 in matching funds, which they unanimously voted to do. According to Councilman Clyde Sanders, the city had plans drawn up a year or so ago for the park and walking trail. Sanders said he didn’t know when the Town would receive the grant money.
Council did not, however, take any action on a proposal from the Friends of Mt. Zion Institute (FOMZI) to take deed of and renovate the historic school building on the grounds. At a work session last week, Council indicated that they would turn the building over to the citizens’ group, but no vote was held Tuesday night.
Resident Eloise Montgomery addressed Council about her ongoing concern over the continued discoloration of the Town’s water supply. Mayor Roger Gaddy explained that the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is working to rectify the problem. Gaddy said that while the water is temporarily discolored by manganese, it is safe to drink.
“The problem is cosmetic,” Gaddy assured Montgomery, who asked if the Town planned to provide any monetary relief to the citizens for the inconvenience of the discolored water.
“No one has asked about that,” the Mayor replied, “and we are not expecting to provide that.”
Council also voted to purchase a used 2004 International 7300 digger derrick truck and winch for a combined cost of $75,000, for the Town’s Electric Department. The truck replaces a 37-year-old digger derrick truck. The Town had budgeted $190,000 for the truck.