Kershaw Town Council supports Catawba water reservoir project

KERSHAW – The town of Kershaw has joined the ranks of local entities to support a proposed water supply expansion project.
Mike Bailes, director of the Catawba River Water Treatment Plant, addressed Kershaw Town Council on Thursday about a planned 92-acre water reservoir near the Catawba River.
The reservoir would provide water for 30 days in a severe drought or another “worst-case scenario.” The effort is a partnership between the Lancaster County Water and Sewer District and Union County, N.C.
Bailes has been addressing local councils about the initiative, which would cost $30 million. Union County and the water and sewer district would split the bill.
The effort won’t raise taxes, Bailes said.
“We need your support because we know there’s going to be some naysayers,” Bailes told council members Thursday.
Council unanimously approved a resolution to support the project. Mayor Wayne Rhodes spoke highly of the effort.
“This, to me, is one of the best things Lancaster County has ever done,” Rhodes said. “This will impact us more than anything that has happened in Lancaster County in a long time.”
Bailes expects construction of the reservoir to begin next fall and for the work to be done by 2013.
Circus may come to Kershaw
Town Council voted unanimously to give the town’s park council permission to negotiate with a company to bring a circus to the town in April. The company, Lewis and Clark Circus, is based in Easley.
Money generated from the circus would go toward improvements to the bowling alley, swimming pool and other areas of Stevens Park, said Town Administrator Tony Starnes.
“It gives them a chance to raise money for those efforts over there,” Starnes said.
Businesses licenses
Councilman Morris Russell said the town needs to revisit its business license policies, which haven’t been updated since 1992.
Russell, Starnes and Rhodes will research business license fees and rules in other municipalities and report their findings to the full council.
Council met in closed session to receive legal advice and discuss a proposed property sale. No action was taken afterward.

Contact reporter Jesef Williams at jwilliams@thelancasternews.com or at (803) 283-1152