Volunteer departments recognized, first readings passed

NEWBERRY COUNTY — Newberry County Council recognized the Fairview Fire Department and Lake Murray Rescue Squad for their respective contributions to the community during last week’s County Council meeting.

Tommy Long, Newberry County Emergency Services director and Brandon Wicker, Emergency Services coordinator shared a few of the department’s achievements as part of a new initiative by council to recognize volunteer departments in the county.

Both departments are located in the Lake Murray Public Safety Complex, located at the northwest intersection of Macedonia Church Road and Seibert Road servicing the southern portion of Newberry County.

Long said the Lake Murray Rescue Squad continues to have an active membership with 16 volunteer members with over 176 years of service, with the longest-serving member being active since 1993. He said their primary focus is providing exceptional medical care and they are always looking for ways to improve service to the district.

Wicker recognized the Fairview Fire Department and said in addition to the main station on Seibert Road, there is also a substation located on Ira Kinard Road. There are currently 26 members and in 2024 responded to 149 calls. Wicker noted that one of their members saved a citizen’s life in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene when a tree fell on their house.

Other business:

• Council unanimously passed the consideration of a motion to accept a surety bond (in the amount of $90,375) for the roads within Stewart Landing Subdivision – Stewart Landing Drive, Shoreview Drive, and Timber Trail Lane – into the Newberry County Public Road System.

• The third reading of an ordinance authorizing the acceptance of roads within Stewart Landing Subdivision was passed unanimously by Council.

• The first reading of an ordinance to provide for the issuance and sale of a general obligation bond not exceeding $405,000 in principal amount, to prescribe for the purposes for which the proceeds of the bond shall be expended, to provide for the payment of the bond and other matters relating was unanimously passed.

• Council unanimously passed the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the execution of an equipment lease-purchase agreement in an amount not exceeding $2,100,000 relating to the purchase of certain equipment by Newberry County, authorizing the execution of other necessary documents and papers, and other matters relating.