Charlotte K. Berger

cberger@thecherawchronicle.com

CHERAW - An ordinance to regulate truck traffic in the Town of Cheraw was approved at Tuesday's Town Hall meeting.

The ordinance will go into effect once it is signed.

At January's meeting, Mayor Scott Hunter introduced the ordinance to council members for consideration of the first reading of the Ordinance. The purpose of the ordinance is to establish certain no truck zones within the Town of Cheraw, prohibiting commercial trucks with six wheels or more from routing through town on various streets. Commercial trucks within these zones now are not allowed unless they are delivering to or picking up freight from a business location within the no truck zone. The streets that the ordinance will affect are as follows: West Greene Street, Powe Street, Kershaw Street, State Road, Depot Street, Beverly Drive, Lynn Avenue, Victory Drive, Market Street, Second Street, Church Street, A.C.L. Avenue, Davis Street, Maynard Street and Howard Street.

Town Administrator Bill Taylor stated that fines for breaking the no truck zone can stem from $100 to $500. The Cheraw Police Department will be monitoring the no truck zones and will give out letters explaining the regulations for the first 30 days. After that, the police will begin citing those who violate the ordinance.

In other business, the council's finance committee met in January to discuss the possibility of adding some "official" holidays. This came about when Councilman John Melton suggested that council review the official town holidays that are currently being offered to employees. At that time, some discussion was held regarding adding Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Veterans Day as official holidays. It was noted that currently, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is an optional holiday for employees. Taylor also mentioned that the banks, the Post Office and County and State Agencies are usually closed.

The following changes, which will result in an addition of one official holiday are as follows:

* Eliminate the employee's birthday as a holiday;

* Change Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday from an optional holiday to an official holiday;

* Add Veteran's Day (November 11) as an official holiday.

Councilman Mickey Workman suggested that all of the employees split their days off to avoid them all being off at the same time in case of a town emergency.

No decision was made on the hiring of a town attorney. In last week's briefing, council received a recommendation for filling the position. The two interested parties for the position are C. Anthony Harris and Miller Ingram. However, due to an unforeseen circumstance with one of the council members, the legislative committee was unable to meet. Mayor Hunter and council members will hear that recommendation at a later time and continue with the final decision.

There were two resolutions also on the agenda as well.

* A resolution updating the Town of Cheraw's employee handbook regarding official holidays;

* Resolution establishing and naming an official policy for Naming Parks, Recreation and other town-owned Facilities.

Council also received a letter of thanks from the On-Stage-Theatre Group and the board of directors extending their thanks to town council and the finance committee for the extension of free rent to the Theatre on the Green for the next two years.