Greetings Island residents,

With the Independence Day holiday weekend upon us, I wanted to pass along some information you may find helpful.

Independence Day is typically a busy holiday on Sullivan’s Island. Visitors from the entire tri-county area generally begin arriving early to enjoy the beach. Residents should anticipate a higher volume of traffic inbound to the Island in the morning and outbound from the Island in the afternoon.  Hence it is prudent to plan necessary trips to the mainland accordingly.  Likewise, use extra caution traveling about the Island during the long weekend as visitors are anxiously searching for parking or children are scurrying to the beach making the potential for accidents much easier.  

Town Holiday Closure

• The Town Council Workshop usually held on the first Monday of each month changes from Monday 7-4-22 to Monday 7-11-22.
• Town Hall will close at 2:00 pm Friday 7-1-22 and reopen on Tuesday 7-5-22 at 8:00 am in observance of the holiday.
• Law enforcement and fire and rescue are standing by at the ready to assist residents and the general public.  Additional personnel are on duty to meet the demands of the anticipated crowds visiting the beach.
• In the event of an emergency dial 9-1-1 for assistance; for non-emergency Police, Fire or Water and Sewer Department matters contact Charleston County Consolidated Dispatch at 843-743-7200.

Household Garbage and Yard Debris Collection Schedule Changes – Because Monday July 4th is an observed national holiday there will be schedule adjustments for household garbage and yard debris collections.

• Household garbage normally collected on Tuesday 7-5-22 changes to Wednesday 7-6-22.
• Yard debris normally collected on Wednesday 7-6-22 changes to Thursday 7-7-22.
• The second household garbage collection of the week normally collected on Friday 7-8-22 changes to Saturday 7-9-22.
• The next Charleston County curbside recycle collection remains as scheduled on Wednesday 7-13-22.

Independence Day Activities on the Island

• Golf Cart and Bicycle Parade – Golf carts and bicycles should gather at Sunrise Presbyterian Church early Monday morning for the annual parade to Sullivan’s Island Elementary School.  The parade will begin at 9:00am. Light refreshments including Duck Donuts, Kona Ice and coffee will be offered at the school.  
• Party in the Park – Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the sounds of the Shem Creek Boogie Band beginning at 5:30 pm in Stith Park.  Fireworks are at dusk.
• Remember fireworks are illegal on Sullivan’s Island and alcohol/single use plastics are prohibited  on the beach.

Hurricane Preparation –  Thirty one days into the 2022 hurricane season the tropics seem to be slightly more active. The National Weather Service is currently watching two systems that are well below 15’N latitude and west of 60’W longitude so not a threat to Sullivan’s Island.  Nevertheless, now is the time to keep an eye on hurricane alley. If you have not done so yet, please consider making your family hurricane plan. General information for a plan is available on the Town website www.sullivansisland.sc.gov and the County website www.charlestoncounty.org.  Hopefully the tropics will remain quiet for a while due to the Madden-Julian Oscillation that creates unfavorable conditions for the Atlantic Basin into mid or late July.

Locally, current weather patterns remain favorable for cold fronts to pass through our area creating some clouds and thunderstorms. There is a small system moving up along the Georgia coast toward our zip code that could result in wet conditions and northeast wind for Saturday, Sunday and possibly Monday. As this front dissipates beginning Tuesday temperatures and humidity will return to normal levels for this time of year.   

Town Capital Projects Update

• Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade – the plant upgrade project is now complete. If you are interested in an overview of the project or perhaps a tour contact Greg Gress, W&S Manager at ggress@sullivansisland.sc.gov for details.
• Lift Station Upgrade – the project to upgrade the lift stations across the Island is now complete. Similar to the treatment plant, if you are interested in an overview of the project or perhaps a tour contact Greg Gress, W&S Manager at ggress@sullivansisland.sc.gov for details.
• Fire Station and storage building – the project to upgrade the fire station and build an equipment storage is approximately 71% complete with expected delivery in early September. if you are interested in an overview of the project or perhaps a tour contact Andy Benke, Town Administrator at abenke@sullivansisland.sc.gov for details.
• Tennis and Basketball Court Lighting Project – installation of new LED lighting began in mid-June. Evening matches and games will have improved lighting while consuming less electricity.  Ultimately the courts will be resurfaced/re-striped as well.
• Boardwalk Repair and Installation – Work on boardwalks at Stations 18, 19, Sullivan’s Island Elementary School and Station 27 will commence this fall. The project includes a complete renovation, replacement at Station 18, an extension at Station 19, an extension at SIES and new construction at Station 27 from the road to the pond.
• Stith Park Master Plan – The Town has issued a Request for Proposals from design professionals to craft a master plan for the design of Stith Park. Look for more details on this project as public input through a series of charettes will assist with the park design.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact Town Hall if you need any assistance or information. Wishing you all the best for a safe and happy July 4th weekend.

Regards,

Andy Benke
Town Administrator
Town of Sullivan's Island
Post Office Box 427
Sullivan's Island, SC  29482
Direct Telephone: 843-883-5726
Facsimile: 843-883-3009
Emergency: 9-1-1
Police and Fire Dispatcher: 843-743-7200
Email address: abenke@sullivansisland.sc.gov
Web address: www.sullivansisland.sc.gov