SEABOARD — The fate of Internet cafes in Seaboard was  sealed when commissioners voted 3-1 to put in place an ordinance to prevent them from opening.

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Commissioner Ed Henderson voted no during the Tuesday night meeting because he felt citizen input was needed.

“We need to have a citizen meeting,” he said.

Town Clerk Becky Warwick pointed out that since the ordinance was introduced at an April meeting, it had been talked about and citizens had a chance to comment.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Edward Stevens said of the businesses that offer sweepstakes-style gaming: “I do not want it. Period.”

Commissioner Will-iam Gallimore noted that county commissioners had passed a moratorium on the businesses at their Monday meeting.

Warwick told the town commissioners of the possibility of the state approving Internet cafes.

“It would be $5.2 million in revenue for the state,” she said. “They are not looking at moral issues.”

Henderson suggested having a forum for citizens to express their concerns.

Town Commissioner Danny Hines felt like it would be a waste of time:

“I don’t think many citizens are going to come out.”

ALSO AT THE MEETING ....

Seaboard town commissioners:

• Got an update from Town Clerk Becky Warwick on the progress of the new Town Hall. The town is waiting on the architect to send a letter certifying American material will be used to build it. She said with federal stimulus money being used to build the facility, different rules must be followed. For example, all permits must be obtained before construction can start. The town is waiting on two permits that should be in later this week, Warwick said. “Maybe we can start taking bids next week,” she said.

• Approved a personnel policy for employees.

• Were urged to attend the public hearing for the Northampton County 2010-11 budget at 2 p.m. June 21. Citizens are looking at a possible 9-cent tax increase. Warwick said Mayor Bobie Moss planned to attend. “The more there, the better to try to discourage this,” she said.

• Approved amendments to balance this fiscal year’s budget.

• Learned that the next issue of the Seaboard Notes would be during the first week of July. The deadline for articles is June 15.

What’s ahead?

The next meeting for Seaboard town commissioners will be 7:30 p.m. July 13. There will be no work session in June for the commissioners.