East Laurinburg commissioners were unable to come to a decision on two zoning provisions — one to allow a group home to open in the town of 300, and the other to turn an old laundry into a game room.

Mayor Randy Miller called for a "recess" during the commissioner meeting to discuss the issues.

It is unclear what was discussed during the hour-long private session, but the commissioners did not come to a consensus on what action to take regarding either proposal.

The group home, first brought up during the at the town's March meeting, would be run by Fayetteville-based Woodridge Alternative. The company, a faith-based organization that works with troubled teens, expressed interest purchasing a four-bedroom house in East Laurinburg to turn into a home for children aged 13 to 17.

The game room, which was introduced Tuesday night, would renovate an abandoned coin-operated laundry to put in several arcade games and a few pool tables, officials said.

When the "recess" ended, Miller said officials needed to "check on ordinances" pertaining to the two ventures and "should have an answer by next meeting.

In other business, the board discussed how town employees were spending money.

Mayor Pro-Tem Marshall Stevens said workers were replacing tools that could have been repaired and said there should be an approval process for making purchases.

Town resident Harry Pittman objected to the proposal, telling the commission that they would undermine the workers' ability to do their job.

Miller told the commissioners that the town would inventory the tools they have and make some decisions of how to cut costs.

Miller also welcomed back Commissioner Earlene Fowler.

Fowler had missed several previous meetings from health problems, including knee replacement.

Also present at the meeting was Andrew Todd, a Boy Scout in Troop 420 who was attending the meeting to help earn his communications badge.

The town's next meeting will be May 5 at 6 p.m. in the East Laurinburg Municipal Building.