05/10/07 — No beer vote will be held in Seven Springs

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No beer vote will be held in Seven Springs

By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on May 10, 2007 1:46 PM

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Voters in Seven Springs will not get to decide if they want to buy beer in town.

Mayor Steve Potter announced to the town board of commissioners Wednesday night that the town is too small to ask for a voter referendum for off-premises malt beverage sales.

He appeared relieved when he told the board members, who decided in a split vote last month to ask the Wayne County Board of Elections to schedule a resident vote on the matter.

But Potter said after he looked into it, he found out a town has to have at least 500 people living in it to be able to put an alcoholic beverage referendum on the ballot.

Seven Springs had only 86 residents, according to the 2000 census.

The subject came up when somebody inquired about opening an abandoned store on Main Street and selling beer and groceries. To approve the request, the town would have to call for a vote by Seven Springs residents.

In other business, the board awarded a contract for almost $21,000 to Goldsboro Paving Company to do street repairs and repave Herring and Easy streets.

The town will pay for the work with Powell Bill money that would be lost if not spent by June 30.

Also, town commissioner Allen Cash was voted mayor pro tem. And his wife, Lisa, was sworn into office as town clerk.

The board also discussed the Ole Timey Days Festival to be held June 9. For information about the event, or to book an entry, call the Seven Springs Town Hall at 569-5241.