SCDOT hires new Chief Engineer for Project Delivery
The South Carolina Department of Transportation has named John Boylston, P.E. as Chief Engineer for Project Delivery.
The Chief Engineer for Project Delivery has statewide responsibility for the preparation and development of projects as they advance to construction. This includes oversight of right of way acquisition and environmental processes.
A graduate of Clemson University, a licensed professional engineer and a Certified Public Manager in South Carolina, Boylston began his career with SCDOT in 2006 as a Program Manager in the Beaufort area. He subsequently served as the Charleston area Program Manager, Lowcountry Regional Production Engineer, Midlands Regional Production Engineer and most recently as Director of Preconstruction where he has served since 2017.
“I am pleased to announce this appointment and I’m excited to see John continue his hard work and dedication to the people of South Carolina,” SCDOT Deputy Secretary for Engineering Rob Perry, P.E. said. “As we continue to work to push South Carolina’s momentum forward, we need people like John Boylston leading the charge.”
LWV Beaufort holding general membership meeting
The League of Women Voters (LWV) Beaufort Area will be holding a general membership meeting from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, April 18, at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 178 Sam’s Point Road on Lady’s Island. The community as well as members are welcome to attend.
The meeting will include a presentation by the organization’s Observer Corps – one of the fundamental functions of the League of Women Voters. The Observer Corps attends local government meetings, notes what happens at the meeting, and reports back to the League and the community.
For more information on the LWV Beaufort Area, visit https://my.lwv.org/south-carolina/beaufort-sc-area.
County Council to host forums on transportation tax referendum
Beaufort County Council will host several informational forums in April to answer questions regarding November’s 2024 Transportation and Sales Use Tax referendum.
The remainder of the schedule is as follows:
- Thursday, April 18, 6 p.m.: Buckwalter Recreation Center, 905 Buckwalter Parkway.
- Monday, April 29, 6 p.m.: St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road.
These informational meetings are intended to help the public understand what projects the sales and use tax money will fund if voters pass the referendum in November. Materials will be available for citizens to gain a greater understanding of sales tax in general as well a recap of past and current projects funded through transportation sales tax in Beaufort County.
County Council members will be in attendance and guest speaker will be Jared Fralix, Assistant County Administrator for Infrastructure.
The meetings are open to the public and no RSVP is required. For more information, please contact the Clerk to Council’s Office at 843-255-2180.
County invites feedback on stormwater manuals
The Southern Lowcountry Technical Sub Committee is seeking feedback on the jurisdictional Southern Lowcountry Stormwater Manuals. All stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments, suggestions and improvements.
Implementing jurisdictions are working on draft changes, and would like input on any additional proposed edits from residents, developers, engineers and other individuals with technical expertise.
Comments on all manuals will be received through Friday, May 31. Comments may be submitted to wstormwater@bcgov.net.
For more information on current manuals, plans and studies, visit https://bit.ly/3PNgb3r.
For questions and more information, contact Beaufort County Stormwater Department at 843-255-2813.
Beaufort County holding election education forums
The Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections is hosting five community forums to educate and inform the public on the upcoming election season.
Topics will include what’s on the ballot, voter registration – how to register, confirming voting status, deadlines to register, polling locations including new voting sites, and how to become a poll worker.
The remaining forum schedule is as follows:
- Thursday, April 25,6 to 8 p.m., Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road, Hilton Head Island
- Tuesday, May 7,6 to 8 p.m., Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 367 Keans Neck Road, Seabrook
The forums are free and open to the public. No rsvp is required.
For more information visit Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration or call Jean Felix, Training and Outreach Coordinator at 843-255-6900.
City solicits input on drainage improvement project
The City of Beaufort is inviting the public to a meeting to learn about the Charles/Craven and Port Republic/Carteret Street Drainage Improvement Project. The meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, Friday, April 26, at 1911 Boundary Street, second floor, Council Chambers.
The City wants to share plans to reduce ongoing flooding and stormwater drainage issues, gather input and comments on the project plans and share the project schedule.
Indivisible Beaufort meeting April 27
Patrick Perryman, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort, will be the guest speaker when Indivisible Beaufort meets next at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 27 at the Beaufort Library Downtown at 311 Scott Street.
The topic of the meeting is Israel and Palestine. The group will explore the Biblical and historical contexts to better understand the complicated conflict between Israel and Palestine today.
Perryman has been in the ordained ministry since 1998, with a Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is an accomplished theologian and teacher.
The event is free and open to the public.
SCDOT to host public meeting for SC+EV Initiative
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) will host one of 20 public open house meetings across the state on Monday, May 6 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and the Beaufort Branch Library to provide an update on the state’s efforts to support the electric vehicle (EV) industry and ecosystem as it kicks off the SC+EV Initiative.
The SC+EV Initiative will position South Carolina for the future of electrified mobility through the creation of a reliable and accessible statewide network of EV charging infrastructure.
Attendees are encouraged to drop in anytime to the open house meetings; no formal presentations will be given.
A virtual public meeting will be held in tandem with the public open houses. Members of the public can view the virtual meeting starting April 22, 2024 at www.southcarolina-ev.com.
Public comments may be submitted either in person at the meeting, through the project email, connect@southcarolina-ev.com, or by mail to SC+EV C/O SCDOT, 1201 Main Street Suite 800, Columbia, SC 29201.
City of Beaufort taking a survey
Take a quick survey to share your insights about downtown Beaufort
Beaufort is looking for ideas on how to make the city better. The City of Beaufort’s Downtown Operations Department has been working with a committee to explore ways to increase the vitality of downtown.
The team has created a survey asking residents and visitors a number of questions to get a better sense of how often they visit downtown, what activities they engage in when you are downtown, how convenient are shopping hours, and more.
Those who visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J7R8NB5 to fill out the survey will be automatically entered to win a prize.
Committee seeks feedback on stormwater manuals
The Southern Lowcountry Technical Sub Committee is seeking feedback on the jurisdictional Southern Lowcountry Stormwater Manuals. All stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments, suggestions and improvements.
Implementing jurisdictions are working on draft changes, and would like input on any additional proposed edits from residents, developers, engineers and other individuals with technical expertise.
Comments on all manuals will be received beginning Monday, April 1 through Friday, May 31. Comments may be submitted to wstormwater@bcgov.net.
For more information on current manuals, plans and studies, go to https://bit.ly/3PNgb3r.
For questions and more information, contact Beaufort County Stormwater Department at 843-255-2813.
PSC to hold hearings abour Dominion’s rate hike request
The Public Service Commission has scheduled customer public hearings in Docket No. 2024-34-E, involving Dominion Energy’s application for authority to adjust and increase its retail electric rate schedules, tariffs, and terms and conditions.
This filing includes a request for an increase to retail electric rates, and the Company’s application can be reviewed at https://bit.ly/3xoFKSg.
The public hearing scheduled for Beaufort County will be held Monday, June 10 at 6 p.m., in the Bluffton Town Council Chambers at 20 Bridge Street. Customers who want to speak must pre-register.
In its application, Dominion proposes an increase of $18.86 or 14.21% for residential customers, an
increase of $2,002.25 or 12.32% for commercial customers, and an increase of $57,486.40 or 12.68% for industrial customers.
More details can be found in the Notice of Filing and Public Hearings at https://bit.ly/3VHAa7i. For more information, please reach out to the Public Service Commission at contact@psc.sc.gov or at 803-896-5100.
