The Garland board of commissioners has decided against helping the town of Roseboro purchase a speed monitoring trailer.

According to Garland town clerk Teresa Vaught, the board decided against providing financial assistant to its neighbor to the west, aid that would have helped offset some of the expense for equipment Roseboro mayor Roland Hall projects to cost around $10,000.

Roseboro leaders, however, are planning to utilize a grant from the Governor’s Highway Safety Program to help fill the void for most of the funding, but the town would still be responsible for covering 25 percent of the cost, which totals $2,500.

It was that amount that Roseboro leaders sought assistance from Garland, asking if they’d like to chip in on the cost and, in turn, be able to utilize the equipment.

Vaught explained that no specific reasons were given as to why board members opted not to chip in on the device, called a Speed Monitoring Awareness Radar Trailer, but she did point out that newly elected commissioner Mike Toler, Garland’s former police chief, was the one who motioned for the request to be denied.

In an interview, Toler expressed that since the equipment would be property of the Sampson County Sheriff’s Department, it would more than likely be utilized by the entire county rather than just the two municipalities.

Toler, who served as the town’s police chief for 15 years, explained, “I think that this should be a joint effort.” He also pointed out that he is quite satisfied with the patrolling of the municipality that the Sheriff’s Department provides.

In fact, Vaught explained earlier that there has not been much need for such monitoring in Garland.

Toler did indicate, however, that if the town of Roseboro would like to come back to the board with a joint effort to purchase the equipment rather than it falling on the shoulders of two municipalities, he would be more than willing to reconsider the proposal.

Not to be sidetracked, Roseboro officials say they still plan to purchase the equipment. In an interview, Hall stated that he would put the additional costs into the town budget for consideration.

In addition, Roseboro leaders have also sought financial support by the county. However, according to Hall, feedback from the county has not been provided.

He also explained that the town has a while before the grant will be considered by the state.

“The decision will not be made until October 2010 and will apply to next year’s budget cycle,” said Hall.

In the meantime, he stated that “anything is possible” in regards to other municipalities helping purchase the property.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.