MURFREESBORO — Town leaders here have solidified their commitment to have the new Hertford County Courthouse constructed near their town.

On Tuesday, the Murfreesboro Town Council adopted a resolution agreeing to construct the necessary sewer and water infrastructure as well as remove the Percy Bunch property from the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) should the county select that particular parcel for the construction of the new courthouse.

Mayor John Hinton said he and Town Administrator Brandon Holland met with Hertford County Manager Loria Williams on Monday.

“The Hertford County Board of Commissioners has requested two things from us before considering our courthouse proposal,” Hinton said to council members. “I had the consensus of each one of you, but before we go any further I would feel better knowing we had a resolution approved by each of you.”

The resolution states the town agrees to extend sewer lines to the 25-plus acre parcel (located near the intersection of US 158 Business and the Murfreesboro Bypass), “install such sewer lines, lift and pump station(s) as may be necessary to service to courthouse at no expense to the county.”

In addition, the resolution further states the town will, upon request of the county, remove the property from its ETJ.

“If it comes to pass, if they choose that site, will they have to request that (the ETJ) at that time, not now, but after the exchange,” asked Councilman Bill Theodorakis.

Town Attorney Buddy Jones said the way the resolution is drafted the request for removing the property from the ETJ would occur after the courthouse was constructed and upon the request of the county.

“Is this going to involve the state in any way, shape or form,” questioned Hinton.

Jones said the matter would be dealt with between the county and town.

After further discussion, Holland explain the board would have to approve a resolution removing the property from the ETJ and state that it would remain un-zoned until the town applied zoning to it.

Theodorakis moved to approve the resolution. The measure was seconded by Councilwoman Sarah Wallace and passed without objection.