With aging water and sewer lines causing repeated leaks throughout town, Summerton officials are considering a long-term infrastructure plan that could help stretch $1.5 million in federal funding into a larger investment in the town's future.
Representatives from the Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments addressed Summerton Town Council during its regular meeting Tuesday, Nov. 10, encouraging officials to develop a capital improvement plan that would identify the town's most pressing needs, establish priorities and position Summerton to pursue additional state and federal grants.
Dennis Cyphers, executive director of Santee-Lynches, explained that the town has received $1.5 million through the Economic Development Initiative-Community Project Funding program, a congressionally directed grant administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Rather than spending the entire allocation on individual repairs or improvements, Cyphers recommended using eligible portions of the funding to help secure additional grants, potentially increasing the amount available for infrastructure projects.
The proposal came shortly after Public Works Director Anthony Smith described ongoing problems with deteriorating water lines, including repeated leaks in several areas of town. Cyphers said those challenges illustrate why a coordinated approach is necessary.
"We get these large-scale funding, and really we're using it as a Band-Aid," Cyphers said, explaining that communities sometimes address immediate problems without accounting for future maintenance or preventive improvements.
He recommended developing a capital improvement plan covering five to 10 years, allowing council to establish a schedule for major projects, estimate costs and identify appropriate funding sources. Santee-Lynches would assist with the process, working with council members, town staff and residents to determine which improvements should take priority.
Among the projects already identified for consideration are rehabilitation of the town's water tower, water meter upgrades, replacement of deteriorating lines and improvements to a lift station. Cyphers cautioned that the $1.5 million allocation could be exhausted quickly if the town attempted to address major infrastructure projects without pursuing additional funding.
He suggested exploring opportunities through Community Development Block Grants and other state and federal programs, using the existing award as matching funds where permitted. The federal grant has an eight-year timeframe, providing an opportunity to coordinate improvements with multiple funding cycles.
However, the money must be spent within the grant's authorized purpose and approved budget. A capital improvement plan would not automatically allow the town to redirect the funding to unrelated projects, and any changes to the grant's scope or budget would remain subject to HUD requirements.
Councilman Gavin Allan supported establishing a plan, acknowledging that many of the town's infrastructure problems have been known for years.
"We know the infrastructure needs to be updated," Allan said. "But we need to put a plan in place. I mean, we need to get that ball rolling."
Councilman Michael Wells also encouraged a longer-term approach, saying the town should consider improvements that will serve residents over the next five to 10 years rather than focusing exclusively on immediate repairs.
Cyphers emphasized the importance of public participation, noting that Santee-Lynches has previously collected community input through Summerton's comprehensive planning process. Mayor Keith Bowman encouraged council members to schedule a workshop with the organization to discuss priorities and begin developing the plan, although no date was established during the meeting.
Aging water lines remain a concern
Earlier in the meeting, Smith told council that repeated leaks continue to challenge the town's Public Works Department. Councilwoman Elaine Wood questioned Smith about several problem areas, including recurring leaks near a church, along Buff Boulevard and on Parson Street.
Smith explained that some of the older lines have deteriorated to the point that repairing one section can place additional pressure on another, causing new leaks. He described one section of line that has required approximately 10 repair clamps and said replacing a portion of the pipe may be necessary to resolve the recurring problem.
Bowman acknowledged the town's aging infrastructure and said securing funding for more extensive water and sewer improvements must become a priority. He emphasized that many of the problems stem from aging systems that have been in place for decades and cannot be permanently resolved through repeated repairs.
During public comments, a resident also questioned the financial impact of the ongoing leaks. Council members explained that leaks occurring within the town's distribution system are not directly charged to individual customers' water bills, but they create expenses for the municipality through water loss, electricity, labor and repeated repairs.
Departmental reports unavailable
The meeting also proceeded without oral presentations of several regularly scheduled departmental reports. Water and Sewer Systems Operator Joey Oliver and Town Administrator Mary Adger were absent, and no explanation for their absences was provided during the meeting.
Mayor Keith Bowman told council members that the Town Government and finance reports were included in their packets and directed them to contact the administrator with questions. However, neither report was included in the meeting materials provided to The Manning Times. The Water and Sewer Operations report was also absent from those materials, and Public Works was the only department to provide an oral report.
Council approves minutes from special meeting
Council also approved minutes from its Oct. 28 special called meeting, during which members entered executive session to discuss personnel matters and contractual and legal issues.
According to the minutes, council subsequently voted unanimously to enter into an agreement with URCPA Consulting Services for accounting services. Members also approved a technical assistance agreement with Santee-Lynches related to the town's HUD grant and voted unanimously to separate from an employee identified only as "employee A."
The minutes do not identify the employee, explain the circumstances surrounding the separation or provide financial terms for the consulting and technical assistance agreements.
Upcoming community events
Bowman also reminded residents of several upcoming community events, including the town's Community Thanksgiving Dinner, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, from noon to 2 p.m.
Summerton's Christmas parade is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 13, with festivities from 3 to 8 p.m. and the parade beginning at 5 p.m.
Town Hall will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day and Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27, for Thanksgiving.
