County Council will get to work early Wednesday with a 5 p.m. executive session followed by its regular, meeting at 7 p.m.

The executive session is for the new council to be briefed on the legal battle with the Highway 219 sheriff’s office.

Councilman Edgar Baker, who was not on council at that time, constructed the building in 2003.

In April 2006, the building was condemned due to moisture and mold concerns, and the staff was moved to modular buildings on Wilson Road.

On Aug. 31, 2006, the council sued Baker for damages.

The case could be heard in court this spring, but in the meantime, mediation is also a possibility, according to County Administrator Wayne Adams.

When the council reconvenes in open session at 7 p.m., Piedmont Technical College President Ray Brooks will give the council an update on the local campus and discuss future plans for the school.

Resident Misty West will ask council for use of the fairgrounds for an agriculture expo.

Council will also continue to discuss the purchase of four new ambulances. The issue was debated last meeting with members of council voicing concern in light of the current national economic climate and an expectation of cutbacks in revenue for local government.

Council will also discuss replacing the roof on the Newberry County Piedmont Tech Campus. Bids range from $112,000 to $178,500 for the project.

Bids for a communications study will be discussed by Sheriff Lee Foster, Emergency Services Coordinator Tommy Long and EMS Director Bill Grisby. Two bids for the study came in at $88,786 and $142,344.

Also up for discussion is the purchase of emergency services equipment.

Third reading will be given about roads meeting county standards from July 2003 to July 2007 being adopted into the county road system. Also, third reading will be held to accept Glade Springs Road into the county system.

Both of these topics have gotten much discussion since the roads would not meet today’s standards. Current standards allow that only paved roads may be accepted into the road maintenance system.

“Glade Springs Road, a residential road outside Little Mountain that connects to Coley Todd Road, would be eligible for inclusion in the county maintenance system if the ordinance passes. If third reading on (the roads built from 2003 to 2007) fails, however, the acceptance of Glade Springs Road will not be possible,“ said Adams.

Council will also consider second reading of an ordinance granting a 20-year lease extension on county property located on Cockrell Road off Highway 219 near I-26.

Triangle Gun Club is seeking to continue its use of the property as a skeet-shooting range.

The property once served as a county landfill, and the county is required by law to continue to monitor the site. The terms allow that either party may terminate the lease with a 180-day notice.

Consideration will be given to rezoning a 1.62 acre parcel on U.S. Highway 76 near Chapin from single family residential (RS-1) to general commercial.

Council will also discuss allowing Outreach Ministry to use the Helena Community Center on Jan. 31 at no charge.

Another executive session on contractual negotiations will follow regular business, according to Adams.

“The contract at issue pertains to tree removal necessary for meeting landing approach regulations at the Newberry County Airport,“ he said.