WOODLAND — The town of Woodland will be seeking legal advice from the state level regarding ownership of the former Woodland EMS equipment and funds.

On Thursday evening, Woodland’s Board of Commissioners voted to seek legal advice from the North Carolina Attorney General.

During his first report to the board as mayor, James Ellis Garris said before he took office he looked into a few things regarding the EMS matter and earlier on Thursday he spoke with town attorney Charles Vaughan.

“He proposed this motion that I’m going to have the clerk (Kim Bryant) to read,” he said. “This is what he has recommended for us to do.”

Bryant read the motion aloud.

“To instruct the town attorney to seek legal advice from the North Carolina Attorney General in reference to the ownership of the former Woodland EMS equipment and Southern Bank Rescue Squad account,” she said.

Commissioner Lloyd Lee Wilson agreed with the recommendation and moved to approve the motion as it was read. Commissioner Jean Barnes offered a second and the motion passed without objection.

Woodland EMS was dissolved on July 1 by the town after the municipal department ran more than $60,000 in the red.

Recently, Eastside EMS, a newly formed non-profit organization comprised of some former Woodland EMS members, applied for a franchise through Northampton County to provide emergency services in the southeastern portion of the county. The application was approved pending legal review.

Susan Joyner, the commander of Eastside EMS, said in a previous interview the town is keeping ambulances and funds from the Woodland Rescue Squad Benevolent Fund Incorporated from the group. The benevolent fund has been frozen until it can be determined who the money belongs to.