WARSAW— Controversy over naming rites and completion of an apartment construction project drew considerable discussion during the Warsaw town meeting Tuesday night. As a result the Warsaw Town Board decided to wait on action to take ownership of a new private street that runs through a development under construction by Al Smith. Smith had sought from the board approval of Albert Newkirk Boulevard that forms the entrance to the first of a three phase apartment complex he has begun. The first phase is nearing completion and according to Ed Collins, Code Enforcement officer, the second phase appears to be about to start.

Mayor Win Batten commented that he had discussed this matter with interim town manager Tommy Combs and asked Combs to explain to the board the situation. “It has not been the custom of this board to approve a street prior to the completion of any project. To take ownership of the street would mean the town would be responsible for its upkeep and if construction is still taking place then damage could possibly occur that would then be the town’s responsibility to repair. I am inclined to think the reason Mr. Smith wants us to approve the street is due to regulations to certain utilities such as cable and telephone service that want their lines to be in areas that are approved streets versus private.”

Batten then informed the board that the street did not meet Department of Transportation guidelines to be called a boulevard and questioned where that name came from. Collins then stated that E911 had at the request of Smith, had named the street Albert Newkirk Boulevard, (after his father-in-law). The question was then raised by several members of the board and the mayor, who has the jurisdiction to name streets within the city limits. Town attorney Ed Thompson said that the town had jurisdiction over naming of streets and the county nor the E911 had any jurisdiction to name a street in the city limits. Collins stated that he felt that Smith had requested 911 addresses in order to receive his certificate of occupancy for the apartments that had been completed in phase one and the E-911 office had met his request and had even put up signage for the street.

The mayor requested that the matter of naming of streets in Warsaw to the manager for clarification. He then asked if there was a motion to give acknowledgement to the existence of Albert Newkirk Boulevard as a privately owned street within the town of Warsaw with consideration after completion of the entire three phases of the development, the board would then consider approval and accept ownership for the street. The board so moved and the street was deemed a legitimate street within the town.

To contact Billy Todd, call 910-592-8137 ext. 117 or e-mail sigeneral@myclintonnc.com.