Council introduces bills to end electrical board and repeal burial sites preservation chapter; local residents raise concerns

The Dorchester County Council on Dec. 17, 2024 introduced two pieces of legislation and agreed to publish public hearings for each.

Ms. Irene Barnes announced a bill to amend Chapter 82 (Electrical Standards) to abolish the Board of Electrical Examiners and to eliminate the local registration requirement for people providing electrical services in the county. Planning & Zoning Director Susan Webb provided an overview; the Council directed staff to publish a public hearing date.

Separately, councilmembers introduced legislation to repeal Chapter 63 (Burial Sites Preservation) in its entirety. Ms. Webb provided an overview of the proposed repeal and the Council agreed to advertise a public hearing.

During the public comment period, Dorothy Samonisky, a resident who is chair of the Burial Sites Preservation Board, outlined concerns about veteran support, the proposed disbanding of the Burial Sites Preservation Board, electric vehicle mandates in rural counties, and the placement of the chamber’s television screens. Ashley Samonisky also spoke in opposition to repealing the Burial Sites Preservation Board. The minutes record these public comments but do not show council action on the repeal beyond scheduling a hearing.

Why it matters: Repeal of Chapter 63 would remove local code provisions related to burial site preservation; abolishing the Board of Electrical Examiners would change the local oversight and registration process for electrical work in Dorchester County. Residents and board members raised objections during public comment; the Council has not yet taken final action and has scheduled the required hearings for both measures.