Town Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
The Little Mountain Town Council Meeting for February 11, 2025, was held at the Derrick Community Center. Present for the meeting were Mayor Jana Jayroe, Council Members Marty Frick, Patrick Bowers, Mary Buntin and Jillian Long. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Mayor Jayroe and Council Member Buntin gave the invocation.
The Council reviewed the meeting minutes of January 2025. A motion to approve was made by Frick and seconded by Bowers, the motion carried.
The council reviewed the financial statement ending January 31, 2025. A motion to accept the financial report as information was made by Bowers and seconded by Long, the motion carried 5-0.
Griffin Wright was expected to present information regarding the hurricane damage at the Rocky Branch Trail Head. Mr. Wright was unable to attend the meeting. The town clerk will follow up to see if he is available for the March meeting. Mayor Jayroe added that she had spoken with Mr. Wright and from drone footage of the area, approximately one hundred and twenty-six (126) trees are blocking the trail. The overall tree count is much higher. Jayroe reminded the council that Dominion Energy has said they have no plans to clear any of the fallen trees. Jayroe also spoke with Wayne Stephen at the Upper Savannah Land Trust. Mr. Stephen indicated that he would investigate any possible FEMA Grants available to assist. The council discussed options moving forward to include paying someone to clear the trail. This would have to be a multi-year plan due to cost. Another possibility would be to organize a group of volunteers for assistance. Mayor Jayroe repeated that any such groups would have to be insured. No further action was taken.
The council welcomed Tyler Bowers, Bowers Lawn Service, to the meeting. Mr. Bowers completed the trimming of crepe myrtle trees from Depot to W. Church Street. The council and Mr. Bowers reviewed the scope of work for the lawn maintenance contract. No changes were made.
In old business:
- A new town entrance sign has been ordered to replace the one that was damaged during the hurricane.
- A new speed monitor has been delivered to replace the one that was damaged during the hurricane. A quote for replacement batteries was also received at one hundred dollars ($100) each. Council Members Frick and Bowers suggested cleaning the solar panels prior to ordering new batteries.
- Council Member Bowers and the Town Clerk reported on the status of setting up the Section House office. A list of tasks and needed items was shared with the council. Bowers is donating a desk and bookshelf. He also has a door that can be used to secure the storage room. Many items on the list can be fulfilled from existing town property such as tables and chairs. An update will be given at the next meeting.
- The Town Clerk contacted two vendors regarding an estimate for repairing the BBQ shed roof at Reunion Park. One vendor was unable to complete the work. The other estimate is forthcoming. The council briefly discussed additional vendor options. The town clerk will reach out for possible bids.
- The street sign, Ave of Champions petition with the county has been approved. Council Member Bowers has posted the new street sign.
- The Town Clerk contacted ETV regarding the tower on the mountain. After several conversations with Mark Jahnke, ETV representative, Jahnke reported that the tower was not damaged during the storm. After further discussion it was noted that the damage was to a power pole and not the tower. The property on the mountain does not belong to the town. Mayor Jayroe stated that it would be the responsibility of the property owner to move forward with any repairs.
- The council reviewed options for new town banners. Three (3) designs were chosen. Ten (10) of each banner will be ordered.
- The Town Clerk reported that the window repair at Old Town Hall has been completed.
- The Town Clerk is continuing to store Christmas decorations. There are two trees at Old Town Hall that need to be moved into storage. Mayor Jayroe stated that in the future the decorating committee will be given a date to have all decorations down and stored.
- Mayor Jayroe revisited the areas of interest that council members discussed at the January meeting. Council Member Buntin stated that she would like the town to create a brochure regarding the history of the town and the historic homes and buildings. Jayroe stated that the Dutch Fork Genealogy group that meets at the Derrick Center on Wednesday’s would be a good resource. Buntin will follow up with the group for information. Council Member Long expressed interest in more family fun events such as a turkey trot. She would also like to have a mural in town. Jayroe encouraged Long to reach out to the Reunion Road Race organizers to get information. The council will continue to follow up on these projects.
In new business:
- The Town Clerk reminded the council that Statement of Economic Interest forms are due by March 30.
- The Town Clerk gave an election update. The terms for Mayor and Council Members 1 and 2 will end on December 31, 2025. The Voter Registration and Election Office has provided the following timeline for the 2025 Municipal Day Election:
Filing by Petition: Petitions Are Due No Later Than July 18, 2025, 12:00 PM Noon
Nonpartisan Candidates Filing by Statement of Intention of Candidacy:
The filing start date for this is July 25, 2025, 12:00 PM Noon
The deadline for this is No Later Than August 8, 2025, 12:00 PM Noon
Early Voting location/Dates/Times:
Location: Newberry County Voter Registration & Election office 1872 Wilson Rd.,
Newberry SC 29108 Begins- October 20, 2025, Ends- October 31, 2025
Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Saturday-Sunday)
Election Day:
Date: November 4th, 2025, Polls Open 7:00 AM Polls Close 7:00 PM
- The Town Clerk discussed the following timeline for the upcoming budget process:
March and April 2025 – Review budget projections. May 2025 – 1st reading and public hearing for budget ordinance. June 2025- 2nd and final reading of budget ordinance.
- Mayor Jayroe discussed new resources for viewing zoning in the county. The Qpublic.net website can be used to view zoning designations in the county. Jayroe urged council members to visit the site. Also, the complete Comprehensive Plan for the county can be found at gov. Jayroe stated that she would like the council to consider ordinances for nuisance properties, properties requiring debris removal and abandoned properties. If passed, these ordinances would be enforced by the county. Again, Jayroe encouraged council members to review the plan and give any suggestions for future land use to County Council Member Karl Sease.
With no further business, a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 pm was made by Long and seconded by Bowers. The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by:
Cindy Farr