The Girl Scout Hut in Clinton has a reprieve - for now.
City Council decided Monday night to table a motion, following a city staff recommendation, to tear down the building, after three impassioned statements advocated saving it.
The building is at the end of Hickory Street, near Pine Street Park. A speaker said, awhile back, the City studied both the Boy Scout Hut and the Girl Scout Hut.
The Boy Scout Hut was renovated, and the Girl Scout Hut was allowed to continue to deteriorate, the council was told.
Mayor Randy Randall said, hearing that, he was concerned about both organizations receiving equal treatment.
Lynn Arve, CEO of Girls Scouts Mountains to the Midlands, said the building represents a community “cornerstone for decades” and a “home away from home for countless girls.”
City Manager Tom Brooks said the city staff’s recommendation is for demolition, because of the high cost of shoring up the foundation and renovation. He said in 2021 the City received a quote of $19,000 to fix the settling floor from one contractor, but the Ram Jack company refused to quote on the work. There are many other repairs to be made, even if the settling problem can be solved. Brooks asked Girl Scout supporters attending the council meeting if they wanted to take possession of the building.
“We’ve had talks about this before but this is the final assessment,” Randall said. “We want to be sure the girls get treated like the boys.”
An inspection was done in 2021, and the final inspection and report was done in July, 2024, the council was told. Brooks said, once the Clinton Fire Department moves back into its quarters in the Police/Fire Center (the former city hall), the nearby Community Building can be used by all Scout troops.
The matter was tabled as the City and the Girl Scouts have conversations about accepting ownership of the building, and the availability of grant money for its repair.
Girl Scout leaders said they were shut out of the building by the city’s former codes/planning officer, (Ashley Rochester, who now has moved to a similar position with Laurens County) because of liability concerns. The City has hired Phil Lindler, Greenwood’s former planner, to consult about codes, planning, annexation and zoning.
Randall said, “Let's see what’s involved in donating (the building).”
Council Member Danny Cook said that if Onsite Builders made a recommendation about the building, “Where did that report go?”
“Let’s table it for now and have a conversation between the City and the Girl Scouts and explore the possibility of grants,” Randall said.
Also at the meeting, Police Chief Sonny Ledda introduced officers Corey Barnes, who is promoted to sergeant, and Dena Messer, who is promoted to sergeant supervisor of SROs (school resource officers).
Council also approved a contract for streets resurfacing and for the Laurens County Magistrate’s Office to handle bond court for the city. Council agreed to the re-zoning of 118 acres on Trade Street (of Hwy 56 North at I-26) to general commercial, and the annexation of 103 Jacobs Highway (near South Adair Street) with a commercial designation.
Brooks said Will Riley will serve as assistant city manager and Carl Stevens, the finance director, will handle those assistant city manager functions that deal with finance. Council Member Megan Walsh congratulated Joey Meadors on his 40+ year career with the city and his move to advise the city as a consultant.
Brooks said the City is taking a first look at proposing a “hate crimes” ordinance, perhaps using Columbia’s ordinance as a model.
Council adjourned into closed session for a legal briefing related to a PFAS, “forever chemicals” lawsuit. In open session, council agreed to opt out of all existing nationwide settlements and class-action lawsuits and, instead, initiate its own lawsuit designed to provide the money to scrub the City of Clinton water system of these chemicals.
PAFS are polyfluorinated alkyl substances
used in items ranging from non-stick frying pans to stain-free carpet to turnout gear for firefighters, and among other risks to humans is an increased risk of kidney cancer.
On April 10, the Biden Administration’s Environmental Protection Agency made this announcement:
WASHINGTON - Today, April 10, the Biden-Harris Administration issued the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as ‘forever chemicals.’ Exposure to PFAS has been linked to deadly cancers, impacts to the liver and heart, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children. This final rule represents the most significant step to protect public health under EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap. The final rule will reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses. Today’s announcement complements President Biden’s government-wide action to combat PFAS pollution.
MORE ABOUT THE STANDARD:
Standard here.
Concerns about the chemicals - and the standard requiring their removal from drinking water systems nationwide - has spurred lawsuits and a massive nationwide settlement. With this action, Clinton opts out of the settlement and initiates its own lawsuit related to the chemical manufacturers.
More about PFAS:
https://cleanwater.org/pfas-forever-chemicals
More info here.
