The sight of a TV crew’s “remote” rig on the street just before last night’s council meeting sent an early signal that “something big” was about to happen at the meeting. We’d heard the rumblings that one councilor had been telling folks in advance that “tonight’s meeting would be on TV.” A search of WGAL-TV8‘s Website revealed no coverage of the meeting.

The TV rig on Locust Street and the cameraman “shooting councillors” before the meeting was convened.

Another abnormality: the meeting was convened at 7:05 pm by the council vice president, Barry Ford, due to the absence of the president. The remaining councillors, the mayor, the solicitor, borough manager and financial director were seated at the front of the room which was filled nearly to capacity with yet another abnormality.

Over a dozen citizens and firefighters from each of the three existing fire companies in the borough were part of the audience of nearly 35.

The meeting agenda, front side – page one:

The meeting agenda, reverse side – page two:

The meeting 9:29 pm.

We’d heard the TV crew was there because a council decision on the on-going talks between Columbia Borough and the Lancaster Area Sewer Authority might be on the agenda. Evidently others suspected that; several in the gallery came to speak on the topic and did in the “non-agenda items” portion of citizens’ comments.

The council, deftly, at some points, parried the comments to the next council meeting on June 23 – that appears to be decision date for the consideration of either selling or keeping the sewer system.

The dominant portion of last night’s discussion focused on fire departments and a widening rift between two of the borough’s three fire departments and the third. Frustration and some confusion was evident as “years of discussion” of consolidation into municipal firefighting service seemed to crack into factions.

Among the discussion issues were:

• The “radio funds” budget that would determine the number and distribution of the emergency responder radios that would become part of the “state-of-the art system that will significantly improve (county-wide) emergency responders’ ability to communicate during incidents. The system also allows emergency personnel to communicate with multiple agencies that provide mutual aid from surrounding counties.” – ARINC.com Website

• Response times for emergencies. Scott Ryno, Borough fire chief, said that any of the existing fire stations would provide adequate response time to any Columbia property.

• Which properties to keep? There was discussion about the properties of the existing fire departments, as well as the financial status of each. Apparently, to-date consolidation talks have resolved operational issues (standing operating guidelines, apparatus, training, staffing, etc.) but the issues of debt, land resources and other talking points remain.

• Whither Q.R.S.? Amid the discussion about the recent embrace of Q.R.S. and the 10th Street fire department, the councillors also discussed Q.R.S.’s late of payments for fuel charges.

• “We ought to ask them to ‘Help us!'” was the sonata sung by one councillor in his regular rant about the expensive “River Park.” The councillor submitted that other jurisdictions on the trail ought to help Columbia pay for benches and other niceties at the park. Other councillors and others in the gallery were scratching their heads at his arguments.

• A former councillor, and an avid river advocate, mentioned reading a legal notice a few days ago and asked whether any borough representative would be attending. Here is the legal notice that was published in the “publication of record”:

“PUBLIC NOTICE Pursuant to the provisions of Act 93, Oct. 15, 1998, notice is hereby given that the LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE, House of Representatives, and the LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE, Senate, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, will hold a joint public hearing Thursday, June 12, 2014. The joint hearing will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will be held at the Millersville University, The Ware Center, Steinman Hall, 42 N. Prince St., Lancaster, PA. The subject of the joint hearing will be HB 1845 & SB 1111, Amending Act 111. Anthony Frank Barbush, Chief Clerk House of Representatives Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?

One person opined that the former councillor was the only person who reads legal notices; the mayor complained that “no one informed” Columbia Borough about the meeting.

REMINDER: For those who were not at the meeting, the transmission of who said what is left to those who came to the meeting to document the night’s activities. Others in the borough will get verbal reports from those who attended or written interpretations from others. The only way to get a full report is to attend meetings. Again, Columbia news, views & reviews does audio record public meetings in accordance with state law. If you would like a copy of the proceedings, send an email to 17512@mail.com.