33 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com the Shem Creek Sustainability project, as well as grants for Capital Projects and Transportation totaling nearly $24 million. These funds support key initiatives such as roadway improvements, intersection upgrades and dedicated bike, pedestrian and transit infrastructure. The money for Shem Creek, for example, made possible through the efforts of state Sen. Chip Campsen and the South Carolina Legislature, will specifically allow for dredging in the area near the town-owned public docks and the working shrimp docks, ensuring public access and economic support of the shrimping and fishing fleet. NO. 6: TREE PLANTING AND PRESERVATION INITIATIVES As part of its Canopy Restoration Program and through the use of tree bank funds, TOMP took a big step forward in advancing tree planting and preservation efforts. This year, with the support of a grant from the South Carolina Forestry Commission, the town introduced the Community Forest Master Plan (CFMP), a comprehensive, long-term roadmap to create a healthy, thriving, proactively-managed community forest. Complementing this effort is an expanded Take Root program, which began in 2021 as a tree-planting initiative and has since grown to include tree giveaways, educational events and beautification projects. With nearly 5,000 trees distributed since spring 2021, Take Root empowers residents to preserve and expand the town’s tree canopy – especially since this canopy is now under constant threat from various factors including increased air pressure, the Asian long-horned beetle, hurricanes, flooding and sea level rise. Some of the town’s public planting projects so far include: • Pitt Street Bridge • Memorial Waterfront Park • Town hall • Highway 17 streetscape • Coleman Boulevard streetscape • Future capital projects “The overall intent is to not only keep a balance between nature and progress, but to foster a greener, more beautiful community for generations to come,” said Haynie of the initiatives. NO. 5: NEW FIRE TRUCKS FOR MOUNT PLEASANT FIRE DEPARTMENT The Fire Department enhanced its emergency response capabilities with the addition of two new fire trucks this past summer. Approved by the town council as far back as the 2020-21 budget, the vehicles comprise an Engine 503 and a Ladder 505, with a total cost value of $2.5 million. Together, the two new trucks have a total water capacity of 1,250 gallons and come equipped with state-of-the-art technology and safety features, such as: • Ability to pump 1,500 gallons of water per minute. • Command zone TM electrical systems, currently considered among fire departments as the most reliable and configurable. • TAK-4® independent front suspensions, which allow for up to 10 inches of suspension travel, a light spring rate, robust design and independent wheel movement, and a system that keeps tires on track for improved overall handling and performance. • 500 HP Cummins X12 engines, which have been powering the fire service since 1937 and are designed with power-to-weight ratio as the lightest heavy-duty engine on the market. Deputy Fire Chief William Barnes added that both new additions not only sport a shorter wheelbase for better maneuverability in making sharp turns and navigating tight spaces, but also a standard cab height of 12 feet, 3 inches for “better clearance in areas.” NO. 4: AWARDS AND RE-ACCREDITATIONS TOMP was honored with the 2024 Municipal Association of South Carolina Achievement Award for its partnership with WakeUp Carolina, which addresses the opioid crisis through peer-based recovery support. Opioid use in the Palmetto State has been classified as an epidemic, with the South Carolina Department of Public Health reporting 2,296 drug overdose deaths in 2022 alone. “But in the past year, we have been able to reduce overdoses in Mount Pleasant by 40% for 2023,” said WakeUp Carolina Executive Director Nanci SteadmanShipman, who founded the community organization in 2016. “And our partnership with the Town of Mount Pleasant has really been a huge factor in making this happen.” Since 2020, WakeUp Carolina has provided numerous events and outreach gatherings including: 657 family recovery group sessions, 825 recovery group sessions and 1,232 community events to name a few. It has also referred 2,735 individuals so far to other recovery support services, 909 individuals to recovery housing and 1,024 individuals our town
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