The Columbia Board of Aldermen on Jan. 7 directed the town manager to inquire whether Tyrrell County officials would be willing to accept title to a dilapidated house and clean the lot at the southwest corner of Scotsville and Rowsom streets in Columbia.

The action came after Habitat for Humanity of North Carolina notified Manager Rhett White that the nonprofit organization is financially unable to fulfill its commitment to Columbia and Tyrrell County to tear down the house and build a new one there.

“The demolition of the existing house and the lot cleanup would cost as much as $5,000,” wrote Greg Kirkpatrick, Habitat NC executive director. “That is money we simply do not have.”

And of the more important obligation Habitat made to the town and county when it acquired the property, Kirkpatrick stated, “Beyond that, we do not have any additional funds to build a house on the lot, much as we would like to.”

Kirkpatrick explained that Habitat NC committed to State Employees’ Credit Union that it would provide a Habitat house in each of North Carolina’s 100 counties, and the Habitat house in Tyrrell was recently renovated and occupied on North Road Street opposite Capt. Neill’s Seafood.

In short, the SECU obligation took precedence over the one Habitat NC made to the town and county when the local governments sold the Scotsville Street house and lot for $1 after acquiring title though tax foreclosure proceedings.

“We would prefer to deed the lot back to the city and county,” Kirkpatrick concluded.

Aldermen Seth Gibbs and Bryan Owens said they oppose

“spending town [and county] money on somebody else’s property.” Under the circumstances the local governments ought to own the property before paying to tear down the house and clear the lot, they said. All agreed the house is a safety and health hazard.

It’s likely the county commissioners will consider the town’s proposition on February 5.