HAMLET — Scotland County artist Stuart Carmichael completed the mural near the Hamlet Senior Center on Wednesday, with a last-minute addition featuring the likenesses of late City Council member Joe Robinson and his grandchildren, according to City Manager Jonathan Blanton.
The mural is just part of an overall beautification project around Hamlet City Lake.
At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Blanton requested approval for a “Master Plan” that would outline two projects at the Hamlet City Lake.
The first project would improve the integrity of the existing dam, at the request of the state.
The second project would be the addition of a “splash pad” for recreation that would be located between the senior center and the old VFW.
Dimensions for the splash pad would be roughly 150 feet by 70 feet and it would be constructed over the next 12-18 months.
The plan would include the design and projected costs for both projects. The Wooten Company and Grimes Engineering are the companies that would work on the plan.
An extension of the existing walking trail, more picnic areas, boardwalk extensions and bathrooms are also possible items on the plan.
If approved by the council, the funding for these projects would be in the 2020-21 cycle for several grants that would cover much of the costs, according to Blanton.
The council voted to proceed with the drafting of the plan which has a price tag of $18,500 to be paid out of the general fund.
Blanton also noted that Vulcan Rockingham Quarry has generously donated 450 tons of “rip-rap” stone “in a two-to-one matching grant to be used on the banks of the Hamlet City Lake in order to promote a fresh, clean, and neat looking shoreline.”
The total amount of stone to be placed along the water line is 800 tons.
In their comments, each council member noted how the City Lake facelift, spearheaded by Blanton, is really having an overall positive effect. They said there is more pedestrian traffic, more fishing and the look at the lake is vastly improved.
Scotland County artist Stuart Carmichael completed the mural near the Hamlet Senior Center, with a last-minute addition featuring the likenesses of late City Council member Joe Robinson and his grandchildren, according to City Manager Jonathan Blanton.
The mural is just part of an overall beautification project around Hamlet City Lake.
Blanton said his goal is “to make the City Lake one of the most beautiful places in Richmond County.”
Other business:
- A moment of silence was observed for Robinson and a flower arrangement sat at his vacant council seat.
- A motion was made to donate surplus chlorine scales from Hamlet’s water department to the Winnsboro, South Carolina water department.
- A mayoral proclamation was read to recognize Chiari Malformation Awareness Month. Chiari malformation is a condition caused when the base of the skull is abnormally small, allowing brain tissue to extend into the spinal canal. Headaches, dizziness, neck pain, tingling in the hands and feet, visual and speech problems are all symptoms of this condition.
- The Parks and Recreation Department is extending the sign-up period for tackle football and cheerleading to Friday, Sept. 20. The late fee does still apply.
- The fifth annual John W. Coltrane Edu-tainment Festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 5 from noon to 7 p.m. at the Wayman Chapel Faith Center, 451 Ghio-Osborne Road. The event is family friendly. For more information contact Gerard Morrison at 4JCMEF@gmail.com or text/call 347-286-8742 .
Mayor Bill Bayless missed the meeting, as he was out of town at a conference.
William R. Toler contributed to this story.
