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Muncy Borough Council members heatedly debated the justification for dismissing borough manager Charley Hall back in October during their monthly meeting.
Just 10 minutes into the meeting, tensions ran high as council president Bill Scott surveyed the meeting agenda and found the council planned to discuss the empty borough manager position.
"I'm not sure why this is on here, but I don't have much to say about it," Scott said.
Scott was one of the three council members to vote in favor of Hall's dismissal.
The tie-breaking vote was cast by Mayor Jonathan Ort.
"I am totally against a new borough manager," Scott said. "This borough I think can operate with a secretary slash manager full time and one part-time treasurer...it's totally ridiculous for the size of the borough...(Hall) was an at-will employee and had no contract. He could have been terminated at any time with or without cause."
Council member Thaddeus Martin questioned Scott and borough solicitor Scott Williams on Hall's rights as an employee under the Federal Employee Handbook and the Sunshine Law.
Williams replied that there was no motion to call for an executive session to discuss Hall's employment before his dismissal.
This was met with sighs, grunts and quiet interjections. Several individuals present insisted that an executive session had been requested during the meeting and that there was a recording of the request, though Scott and Williams retorted that there was no motion.
After being put to a vote, the two remaining office staff members are to have an interim pay increase of $4 an hour for the borough treasurer and $8 an hour for the borough secretary for the increased workload.
Secretary Katie Hakes was then asked by the council if she could cope with the dramatic increase in responsibilities since Hall's dismissal. After a pause, Hakes replied, "Honestly, no."
Council member Linda Stein stated Hakes needs help and guidance in the office to run the borough, and a borough manager would do exactly that.
Scott retorted that he and other members of the council were always available for guidance should the office staff need it.
In other matters, the council decided to repair sidewalks and curbs along Water Street after some debate that it was more traveled than Market Street.
Council also accepted the resignations of a police officer and a street employee, then agreed to hire a part-time police officer pending a meeting with the mayor.
The next council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the borough hall, 14 N. Washington St., Muncy.