SALEMBURG—Local leaders are still unsure what to do about a resolution that would hold the town liable for any inspections that are completed at the request of the municipality by the county’s inspection department.

The board has weighed the issue for the last two months without coming to a consensus as to whether it is, in fact, in the best interest of the town to sign the document.

Prior to Thursday night’s meeting, members asked town clerk Juanita Faircloth to research how the resolution will impact the town. The county has urged the adoption a such a resolution to place liability on individual towns.

Faircloth explained that after talking to assistant county manager Susan Holder, she has come to the conclusion that the resolution would only require the town to be liable if the municipal leaders are the ones asking for the inspection.

She then pointed out that N.C. general statutes also clarify that it is the responsibility of the town, not the county, should things not go well in any inspection situation.

“If we have got a building that we are concerned about, and if we want to condemn the property, then we take liability,” said Faircloth.

Any potential lawsuit, she added, would be directed toward the town and not Sampson County.

Mayor pro tem Joe Warren still seemed uncomfortable with signing the resolution.“Is it something we have to do or they want us to do?” he asked. “If it is something we have to do, I don’t think we have much of a choice.”

Faircloth then noted that county manager Rick Moorefield was “requesting it.”

With this, commissioner Arnold Page then questioned if the documented had to be signed immediately.

Warren answered, “We do if we want an inspection.”

Mayor Bobby Strickland then noted that he was unaware of any houses or building that needed to be studied at the current time. He then suggested the issue be tabled, if the commissioners were still unsure.

Faircloth then asked if there was anything that the board wished for her to research before the January meeting.

Strickland suggested they talk to Roseboro town leaders to get their interpretation of the agreement, since Roseboro’s town board has already approved the resolution.

Warren motioned to table the issue. Page offered the second and it was approved unanimously.

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