City Partners with HomeServe USA to Offer Optional Service Plan for its Water & Sewer Customers

The city of North Myrtle Beach is providing a new optional service program to its water and sewer customers through a partnership with HomeServe USA. 

The city has found that many of its customers become frustrated when they discover a leaking water service line on their side of the property line and then learn that it is their responsibility as the homeowner to fix this this piping.  These repairs can be costly, and the unexpected expense of repairing a service line can be a blow to a homeowner’s budget.  One way to address this need is to offer an optional service program that would protect homeowners from the cost and inconvenience of repairs.

The city has selected HomeServe as a provider of residential service line protection due to their track record of providing quality service to homeowners around the country and here in South Carolina, where HomeServe has also been approved to provide their services by the Charleston Water System, the City of Columbia, the Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority, and Darlington County Water & Sewer Authority, among others.

Homeowners who purchase one of the optional HomeServe service plans will receive financial protection against repair costs and facilitated repairs using local area licensed and approved contractors.

Examples of services offered by HomeServe include:  

External Water Service Line Coverage

As a home ages, so does the exterior water service line that brings fresh water to the house. If this line fails, repair or replacement can be expensive and most basic homeowners insurance doesn't cover repairs to the line on your property. There's no way to prevent a water service line emergency, but homeowners can be prepared with affordable Exterior Water Service Line Coverage.

The city and HomeServe have worked together to create this program and associated educational materials to ensure the program meets the needs of North Myrtle Beach homeowners. 

Interior Plumbing & Drainage System Coverage

There is a complex plumbing system inside a home. Drains can get blocked or clogged by sediment or grease, toilets can overflow and water pipes can leak. When an unexpected plumbing repair is needed, homeowners need qualified help before water damage occurs. Keep your pipes drained and not your bank account with affordable Interior Plumbing and Drainage System Coverage

Exterior Sewer/Septic Line Coverage

The buried sewer/septic line on one’s property that carries waste away from the home can age, crack or leak due to simple wear and tear, tree roots or shifting ground. This line can also get blocked and cause waste water to backup into a home. Get protection from time-consuming and expensive repair costs with Exterior Sewer/Septic Line Coverage and keep what's underground covered.

The cost of the service program is borne entirely by HomeServe, and the city will not incur any expense related to this program.

Shortly, North Myrtle Beach homeowners will receive information in the mail about this new program.

More information about the program is also available on a website established by HomeServe: www.NMBRepairPlans.com    

Get Ready for Small Business Saturday on Nov 26

As a Neighborhood Champion, Thomas Real Estate, Inc. is proud to support Small Business Saturday® and help make it a success for our community. Small Business Saturday is the day founded by American Express in 2010 to help small business owners with their most pressing need - getting more customers. This year, even more resources are available for your business to help you feel more love from shoppers on Nov 26.

Learn how to attract more customers. The new Shop Small® Studio is a one-stop destination for your Small Business Saturday promotional needs, including FREE custom downloadable marketing materials for your storefront, website and social networks.


Tap into knowledge. Small Business Saturday 101 offers tips and insights from business owners and people in the know to help you make the most of the Shop Small Studio marketing materials.

Get started. Visit the new Shop Small® Studio at ShopSmall.com/GetInvolved to start promoting today.

Be part of Small Business Saturday 2016 and help your community thrive.

City of NMB Thanksgiving Holiday Work Schedule

• City Hall Closed November 24 and November 25.
• J. Bryan Floyd Community Center Closed November 24 and November 25.
• NMB Aquatic & Fitness Center Closed November 24.
• Sanitation Schedule – No Service November 24. All November 24 customers will be serviced November 25.
• Public Safety – Regular Schedule.

A Veteran’s Day Service will be held November 11 at 11:00 a.m. at the North Myrtle Beach Veterans Plaza

A Veteran’s Day Service will be held November 11 at 11:00 a.m. at the North Myrtle Beach Veterans Plaza located at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex. Hosted by American Legion Post 186 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10804, the service features:

•  Ride In by Legion Riders/Rolling Thunder
• Posting of Colors by the NMB JROTC
• National Anthem - Marlisa Dillon Small
• Opening Prayer - Bill Stewart A.L. Post 186
• Raising of Service Flags - V.F.W. members
• Opening Remarks - Commander Jerry Groenke
• Guest Speaker - SC Senator Greg Hembree
• American Legion Speakers - Chris McCreary Auxiliary and Carl McAlister Sons of the American Legion
• A Quilt of Valor Presentation - NMB City Councilman Robert Cavanaugh
• Presentation of Wreaths:
  - Red (Strength) -  Debbie Hartleroad (V.F.W. Auxiliary President) and Chris McCreary (A.L. Auxiliary President)
  - White (Purity) - Dennis Benson (V.F.W. Auxiliary President) and Mark Cannito (Past A.L. S.A.L. Detachment Commander)
  - Blue (Eternity) – Walter Duncan (V.F.W. Sr. Vice Commander) and Molly Maguire (A.L. 1^st Vice Commander)
  - Amazing Grace - Marlisa Dillon Small, accompanied by NMB Middle School Band
  - Flag Ceremony – Commander Jerry Groenke A.L. and Commander Don Collins V.F.W.
  - Rifle Salute – A.L. Honor Guard with Taps by the NMB Middle School Band
  - America the Beautiful -  Marlisa Dillion Small
  - Closing Remarks – Commander Jerry Groenke A.L.
  - Closing Prayer – Joe Ruissi, V.F.W.
  - Lunch to be served following.

RESULTS: November 7 City Council Meeting

North Myrtle Beach, SC – November 7, 2016 – During the regularly scheduled November 7 North Myrtle Beach City Council meeting, Sandhills Bank Retail Banking Officer Gretchen Floyd presented the city with a check in the amount of $1,525.00 for use in the city’s Shop with a Cop program. Managed by the public safety department, Shop with a Cop provides lunch and Christmas presents to dozens of children in need. The children are recommended for the program by guidance counselors in area schools. The funds were raised as part of Sandhills Bank’s sponsorship of the annual Mayfest on Main Festival. During the festival, bank employees collect donations for the Shop with a Cop program from festival-goers.

City Council adopted a Resolution approving a two-year memorandum of understanding between the cities of North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach regarding the provision of mutual aid to one another for public safety purposes.

City Council adopted a Resolution appointing two citizens, Edith Phillips and Bruce Young, to the board of trustees of the Fireman’s Insurance & Inspection Fund. The fund is used to purchase non-essential items used by the city’s firefighters and as a supplemental retirement fund for the firefighters. The board of trustees also includes Firefighter/EMT David Macho (chairman), Fire Chief Garry Spain, and Finance Director Randy Wright.

City Council passed a motion to reappoint Ron Bruce and Mary Lee (Dee) Meyers to the North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board.

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to move a five-foot wide, 107-foot long second row public beach access located at 1014 South Ocean Boulevard 25 feet to the south in order to enable the property owner to maximize the amount of usable square footage on their property. The relocation would not violate the city’s public beach access relocation policy. Following the relocation, the closest public beach access would be 125 feet away. Additionally, relocating the second row walkway would better align it with an existing oceanfront public beach access.

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to rezone 0.69 acres from R-2 (Medium Density Residential) to BC (Business Commercial). The property is located in the 400 block of Main Street and consists of one-half of the underwater lands of an existing body of water. The adjacent upland property is zoned BC. Rezoning would have no bearing on whether the body of water could be altered or filled, since it rests with state and federal agencies to determine whether the body of water is a jurisdictional wetland. City Councilman Hank Thomas recused himself from the discussion and the vote pertaining to the proposed ordinance because he owns the property.

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to annex 0.20 acres of land within the city’s Hillside storm water drainage project. The city acquired the property in order to construct a large storm water retention pond to help mitigate downstream flooding. The petition includes a request for R-2 (Medium Density Residential) zoning.

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to annex 4.43 acres of land within the city’s Hillside storm water drainage project. The city acquired the property in order to construct a large storm water retention pond to help mitigate downstream flooding. The petition includes a request for R-2 (Medium Density Residential) zoning.

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to annex about 167 acres. The property is vacant and located adjacent to Watertower Road. The annexation petition includes a zoning request of NC (Neighborhood Commercial) and R-2A (Mid-Rise Multifamily Residential). Zoning districts around the property are R-2A and BC (Business Commercial).

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to amend the Zoning Ordinance Text, Section 23-106, pertaining to measurement of, and exceptions to, height. Current regulations allow exceptions to height limitations, regardless of zoning district, for chimneys, church spires, water tanks or necessary mechanical features not occupying more than 15 percent of the roof area. Planning department staff proposes to add parapet walls typically used to screen mechanical equipment to the list of exceptions. The city’s planning commission conducted an October 18 public hearing on the proposed change.

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to lease space to Mobilitie, LLC on buildings, facilities, and real property owned by the city for the placement of small cell communications equipment.

Shown Left to Right in Photo: Mayor Marilyn Hatley, Sandhills Bank Retail Banking Officer Gretchen Floyd, Public Safety Director Jay Fernandez.

NMB Tree City Board Announces November Tree of the Month Award

The North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board has presented its Tree of the Month Award for November to Jean Clarke and Ken Hudspeth for the care and maintenance of a twisted Pine Tree located in their backyard. The tree is estimated to be more than 80 years old.

Not much is known about how the pine came by its twisted top but Ken Hudspeth, who, the reader should be warned, is known for spinning a good yarn, offers this perspective.

During the 1950s, the property on which the tree now stands was part of a farm. When Hurricane Hazel passed through North Myrtle Beach, it wreaked havoc on trees and structures alike. When the storm had passed, the owner of the farm went out to survey the damage on his land and found a strange situation. The pine tree had not broken during the hurricane but its top was twisted. On one of its twisted limbs, the farmer saw a cat.

After several attempts to get it down, he was successful. Looking up again, he saw a cow straddling one of the twisted branches, ostensibly tossed there by the storm’s high winds. It was a huge undertaking, but the farmer managed to get the cow out of the tree. As he turned to walk away after having saved the cow, he heard a clanging sound. Turning back around, he looked up into the twisted pine and saw a cow bell hanging by its leather strap from one of the twisted limbs. For several years, the cow bell ringing in the wind drew attention to the twisted pine tree. After several years, the leather strap to which the bell was attached disintegrated, and the bell fell to the ground. No one really looked up to notice the twisted pine after that, and so it was left alone to grow into the unique tree that it is today.

The Cherry Grove Dredging Project is underway

Today, one dredge (see photo) is working near the "E" Canal, located between 42nd and 43rd Avenues North, and another is several blocks down and currently working in the Minor Channel.

The dredged material flows through a pipeline that winds along the southern edge of the marsh, on to land, under Little River Road, and ultimately winds up in a huge spoils basin where it will dewater over time and then be moved to a final resting place.

The current plan calls for dredging from 7am-7pm daily. This could change if circumstances develop that require a longer working schedule.