August 13th, 2012 by WCBC Radio
After hearing from both sides on the controversial issue- the Allegany County commissioners voted 2-1 on Thursday to opt out of state legislation that requires homebuilders to install automatic sprinklers in new one- and two-bedroom homes, including mobile and modular homes. While the county wants to delay the mandatory action, staff has developed an incentive program designed to encourage new home builders to include sprinklers. Sprinklers will be mandatory statewide in 2015. Commissioners Creade Brodie and Bill Valentine voted in favor of holding off on the mandate; President Mike McKay voted against. Brodie said that while he believes the sprinkler system is a good one, he also realizes that the county could possibly lose a great deal of new development as a result of the higher costs associated with building a sprinkler equipped home. Many people, he says, will simply opt to build in neighboring states.
.jpg)
