Residents and fire companies press council on Chapter 59 revisions; some ask to refine wording

Members of local fire companies and advisory-board representatives filled the public-comment period to discuss proposed changes to Chapter 59 of the Lock Haven City Code.

Matt Rogers identified himself as treasurer of Hope Host Company No. 2 and said that at a prior meeting William Bailey had presented positions that did not represent the Fire Advisory Board. Rogers urged council to accept the Fire Advisory Board's recommended amendments and clarified that the advisory board had reviewed chapter 59 and forwarded recommendations.

Other speakers described the proposed structure: a department chief (nonrotating) and two district chiefs, with internal company organization left to each company. Supporters said the advisory board had a quorum and voted in favor of the recommended revisions. Several commenters asked the council to return the ordinance to the advisory board for minor wording edits to avoid misinterpretation once the ordinance is enacted.

City staff and council members acknowledged the advisory board's role and suggested one additional meeting to 'clean up the verbiage' before formal adoption. Council did not take a final vote on the ordinance at this meeting and staff indicated it would return to the agenda after clarifications.

The public-record dispute about whether an individual speaker had claimed to represent the advisory board was noted on the record; one commenter said he watched the recorded video to confirm prior remarks.