Cheraw council authorizes manager to pursue tax‑sale parcel for Hill Street stormwater project, raises cap to $10,000

The Cheraw Town Council on Oct. 17 approved Resolution 08‑20‑25 authorizing the town manager to pursue acquisition of a parcel on Hill Street needed for a CDBG‑MIT stormwater infrastructure project, and amended staff authority to allow up to $10,000 for acquisition at a tax sale.

Council discussion and the vote followed staff remarks that the parcel’s owner had been nonresponsive to a prior offer to donate the land. Staff said taxes on the property were unpaid and the parcel is scheduled for tax sale Monday; if the county tax sale results in a town purchase the owner would have a one‑year redemption period, after which the town could take possession if the taxes remain unpaid. Staff also said condemnation would likely take a similar amount of time.

Staff told the council it planned to send a town representative (referred to in the discussion as Brian) to the tax sale to try to secure control of the property. Council members questioned how high staff should be authorized to bid: staff described an initial $2,500 estimate tied to the cost of condemnation, while one council member recommended a higher cap given the project’s construction estimate and the potential for another buyer to obtain the parcel and then seek significantly more from the town for an easement.

Council members discussed the easement needed for the project: the easement was described as approximately 30 feet wide with a 10‑foot wide construction easement on either side, and roughly 25–30 feet in length to reach the road. Staff said the parcel is about a half acre and was once associated with a former hospital administrator, though no full owner name or contact status was recorded in the transcript.

A council member moved and another seconded an amendment to raise the town’s authorization to purchase at the tax sale to $10,000. The council approved the amendment and then approved the amended resolution by voice vote; exact roll‑call totals were not stated on the transcript.

The measure directs staff to proceed with the acquisition approach that most quickly secures the easement needed for the Hill Street stormwater work. The council recorded no further business in the excerpt and a motion to adjourn was made and seconded.

What happens next: staff is expected to attend the county tax sale Monday and pursue the path (purchase at tax sale or, if redeemed, renewed outreach or condemnation) that secures the easement necessary for the CDBG‑MIT stormwater project.