BELHAVEN — The Belhaven Board of Aldermen voted to ask the Belhaven Community Chamber of Commerce at Monday night’s meeting to vacate its current location within 30 days.

The Chamber is located on West Main Street beside a train caboose that was once part of the Norfolk and Southern Railroad fleet.

Mayor Adam O’Neal said the action was taken due to what he thinks is the Chamber’s failure to act in the best interest of the town.

“We used to have a Chamber that represented everybody,” he said. “It was a chamber of people that were there to support the community. … Our Chamber has changed and we don’t have that anymore.”

O’Neal has attacked the Chamber of Commerce in past meetings for refusing to hand its newly acquired land behind the hospital building over to the town.

The 0.56-acre plot on East Water Street is part of the property the town is attempting to acquire via eminent domain. Property ownership is a requirement before Belhaven can secure a $6 million loan from the United States Department of Agriculture to help cover the costs of reopening the hospital, which closed in 2014.

At Monday’s meeting, O’Neal addressed an April newsletter sent out by the Chamber in response to some of his accusations — accusations he vehemently defended Monday.

Aldermen Amos Wilson and Greg Satterthwaite also discussed an April 14 meeting with the Chamber members and expressed their concern over the group’s decision to not take a stance on the hospital situation.

“When I was on the (Chamber) board, it seems like the town got along, the businesses got along,” Satterthwaite said.

Chamber President Dianne Bowen said the group has other plans for the plot of land, and the members still have a clear view of their mission to support and promote Belhaven.

“The Chamber is the full-time representative for the businesses of Belhaven and the surrounding community, and we conduct and support many events and economic development activities that benefit everyone that resides in or visits the Belhaven area,” the April newsletter stated.

It continued: “Unfortunately, the Chamber like many others in our community, seems to be at odds with what the Mayor has decided is the Town’s (only) priority. He has offended and insulted all of those who differ from his opinion. … If the Town secures the hospital property and has a viable and sustainable operating plan, the Chamber would be amenable to modifying our existing deed to allow the hospital to use a portion of the property for emergency room access and egress.”

Executive Director Diana Lambeth said the Chamber of Commerce is looking at all of its options at this point and has had some offers from downtown businesses to house the group for free.