Ballerino fired back. "When we risk our lives for the citizens of this boro, where were you? In the social club getting drunk. That's all I have to say."
Councilwoman & social member Kathy Brennan shot back on behalf of her husband, also a former firefighter. "He's been a fightin' fireman, was a fightin' fireman at 21 years old. He did more fires than you did!"
The heated debate comes exactly a week after state police & the Liquor Control Board raided the fire company amid allegations an illegal speakeasy was being operated inside.
They hauled away liquor and video poker games but tonight Assistant Fire Chief Earl Reed was trying to deny anything illegal was going on, claiming "What gamblin' machines? Has it been proven there's gamblin' yet? No!"
The idea that a so-called social club where liquor was being served out of the firehouse did not sit well with most here tonight.
Boro Council President Tonnette Pray told the packed meeting, "We want a fire company that's free of alcohol. We are a dry boro."
The meeting ended abruptly with the mayor storming out in anger over council's actions.
Tonight there are indications this battle is far from over. Assistant Chief Reed is threatening to sue the boro, and threatening not to allow any new fire company to use the equipment, saying its their equipment.
