If the Archer Lodge Town Council has their way, residents of Johnston County’s newest town will vote later this year to allow alcohol sales.
In a unanimous vote Monday night, the town council voted to ask Johnston County Commissioners to place the referendum on the November ballot. The resolution needed to be adopted and to the county no later than April to allow the county time to consider the request and if approved forward the request to the Johnston County Board of Elections.
Archer Lodge Town Attorney Chip Hewett said technically Johnston County is still a dry county and it was up to each individual town to decide if they wanted alcohol sales within the city limits.
There are two ways to have an alcohol sales referendum go before votes. The first option is for a petition signed by 35 percent of registered voters or by a request of the town council.
Hewett said he had been in contact with the Johnston County ABC Board and the attorney for Johnston County about the request.
The decision to place alcohol sales before Archer Lodge voters began in January when Mayor Michael Gordon told council members a local business had contacted him about selling alcohol in the future.
Councilman Matthew Mulhollem said he believes turnout should be good for a referendum in November.
Mayor Michael Gordon says while the 6 year-old town currently doesn’t have a chain restaurant, by approving alcohol sales now it may encourage a business to locate within the town limits in the future.
