CHINA GROVE ó Faced with some property owners losing insurance, the Board of Aldermen has decided to let the county do fire inspections in town.
The board held a special session Thursday evening to re-vote the fire inspection issue.
On Oct. 7, Alderman Allen Welter convinced aldermen to vote against allowing the county’s fire inspectors to enforce the fire provisions of the state building code. That vote was unanimous.
Welter argued that allowing the county to enforce the regulations would force some downtown property owners to spend $100,000 or more to install fire suppression sprinkler systems.
Thursday evening, Welter cast the lone vote against a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Blair Lyseski to approve the inspections.
Mayor Don Bringle said the town received a letter from the State Insurance Commissioner’s office asking why the town would vote against enforcement, pointing out that insurance could be revoked.
In addition, Bringle said several business owners who needed fire inspections called the town, which could not provide the inspections.
“It was a misunderstanding by four alderman,” Bringle said, adding that it’s been corrected.
Welter continued to oppose the county enforcement, asking for a copy of the state fire code.
The board also approved two other items of business:
– Agreed to pay half the cost of the Santa Claus float for the Southern Rowan Christmas Parade, which will be held Nov. 25, starting in Landis at 3:30 p.m.
– The board also agreed to provide police and other emergency support for the annual Journey to Bethlehem, the living Nativity scene staged each year by New Hope Presbyterian Church.
The event is set for Dec. 12-14.