Board spends $812,150 to buy land

By LARRY HILLIARDLedger Staff Writer

The Gaffney Board of Public Works bought two prime pieces of real estate Friday, which would be needed if the utility ever raises the water level of Lake Whelchel.

In a special called meeting, the commissioners unanimously agreed to pay $750,000 for 123.5 acres owned by the trust of Dean E. and Juanita Clary. The land is appraised at $763,000.

The utility also paid $62,150 for a 23.5-acre tract owned by BB&T. There was no appraisal for that tract.

Both properties adjoin the Board’s Lake Whelchel site.

BPW General Manager Donnie Hardin told the commissioners that a developer was prepared to build residential subdivisions on the properties if the utility didn’t acquire the land.

Hardin said the parcels aren’t part of the proposed golf course master plan.

“There are no plans to raise it (the lake level), but we would need to acquire the property to do it,” he said.

Commissioner Brenda Earls asked if a title search was performed on the properties. BPW attorney Jim Thompson said he wasn’t aware of any, but BB&T would issue title insurance to the utility.

The commissioners then approved a motion to purchase the properties and authorized Hardin to sign the closing documents.