During last night’s meeting, several in the gallery made observations that have, no doubt, given the borough’s leaders reason to pause … and consider.

According to one report, a codes department staffer responded to a citizen’s call about the “olympian and egregious” safety hazard on Locust Street and berated the citizen and delivered several F-bomb expletives at the same time.

Others in the gallery commented on the consistency of the codes departments application of inconsistency in applying codes.

Columbia Spy, another chronicler of events and observations about Columbia, has been publishing several excellent articles with very descriptive photos on this structure. Here is a recent article with photos. Here’s another.

Near the end of the meeting, a resident revealed a story that included these observations about the same codes department staffer, a five-year borough employee:

• The signage about her building’s condemnation has been altered, allegedly by the codes staffer. [NOTE: Following the June council of the whole meeting, Columbia news, views & reviews posted this: “Apparently the residents living at 421 Walnut who are impacted by the back of the building will be asked to leave by Friday as the building will be condemned. 421 Walnut Street property owner.”

• The codes staffer displayed nor presented no official identification letting her know that he was from the borough.

• The codes staffer’s attire was unprofessional; he was wearing a “hoodie.” His demeanor was brusque and authoritarian.

• The inconsistent signage, concerning dates of apparent eviction due to the unsafe nature of the structure, had differing dates on the doors of the apartments. In fact, the dates on the posted signs kept changing.

• The alleged leaking roof repair that, evidently satisfied the codes department staffer, was patchwork accomplished on a Sunday afternoon.

And then, the citizen’s final declaration in a wavering voice, drew audible gasps from those in attendance. The same codes department staffer allegedly called her to apologize and asked her to go to dinner with him or to have coffee with him because he felt badly about his conduct.

And then the mayor chimed in saying, “Jeff Helm was on vacation last week. And I don’t think anyone here can answer your question …”

Now that you’ve had time to catch your breath … here are a few other items of interest.

• A-Treat’s coming back and wants your help

• Turns out there were several TV reporters in town last night, FOX 43 and WITF (public television) reporters were working on news stories about Columbia. You may have seen the FOX43-TV report about Club Good Times; the journalist from WITF was talking with folks about waterfront use … and / or maybe misuse.

• Another citizen spoke up last night; she asked the borough leaders to not be not file a counter-suit appealing the recent court decision. She said that there are so many other “quality of life” issues that the borough needs to deal with. She observed that Club Good Times has a much better track record of police responses and outside appearance than neighboring establishments on Union Street.

• The citizen suggested more proactive policing since being directly impacted by the recent underage boys’ crime wave that cost tens of thousands of dollars. According to the citizen, the police officer who responded to the incident, said that the police department doesn’t have enough staff to be proactive – just reactive. Among Lancaster County boroughs, Columbia’s is among the largest.

• Since the interim borough manager is mostly returned to duty following an illness leave, the borough has determined that the consultation role of Norm Meiskey will continue on a limited, interim basis and to assist the borough with special projects.