Work on church property delayed until independent study can be conducted

Ledger Staff Writer

Gaffney City Council on Monday curtailed plans to relocate a stormwater drain until an independent study is conducted.

The study will determine if the city is responsible for the flow of the water onto Bethel Baptist Church property.

By a 4-3 vote in January, council members approved Bethel Baptist Church’s request for the city to move one of its stormwater drains about 300 feet. Church officials said they need the line moved to accommodate an expansion project. No cost estimate has ever been given for the project.

Councilman Wayne Ramsey, who along with councilmen Dennis Ramsey and Billy Love opposed the original motion, distributed a letter from the state attorney general’s office that stated it was illegal for the city to pay for the work on private property.

According to the letter, Ramsey told the attorney general that “no city street stormwater goes into this system.”

But Mayor Henry Jolly and councilman Johnny Little disputed that assertion.

Councilman Bernard Smith then called for an amendment that authorized an independent study to settle the disagreement. Little was the lone councilman to oppose the amendment.

When asked for his comments, city attorney Fulton Ross said he agrees with the attorney general’s opinion, but cautioned the city is financially responsible if it’s causing the problem.