Questions follow fire company social hall closure
Douglass Township had liability for possible liquor law violations
DOUGLASS (MONT.) » Township staff has taken on the task of coordinating some of the scheduled events at the social hall of Gilbertsville Fire Company No. 1, which was closed last month.
According to a June 9 letter sent to the fire company by Township Solicitor Robert Brant, the closure came in the wake of a complaint filed with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board over operation of the “small games of chance” at the social hall, where liquor is also served.
The township’s involvement, which first became public at last month’s supervisors meeting, is due to a 2005 court order through which the township became the trustee of the East Philadelphia Avenue property occupied by both Gilbertsville Fire Company No. 1 and Gilbertsville Fire and Rescue Company.
Fire Chief Rick Smith said July 17 that there have been two separate and distinct companies since the 2005 court order.
The township became the trustee of the property after the previous trustee, Charles Haddad, stepped down, Brant said during July 17’s supervisors’ meeting.
As a result, the fire house property is “vested” with the township and as trustee it is technically directed to “manage, supervise and direct the fiscal operation, plan of operation, and business plan for both Fire Company No. 1 and Fire and Rescue,” Brant wrote.
That also means the township became liable for any fines or violations the liquor law investigation may yet reveal. No investigation results had been announced
by Pennsylvania State Police as of July 18.
The sale of liquor, food, gambling and social activities was ceased voluntarily by Fire Company No. 1 after a May 30 meeting in which the investigation was revealed by state police, according to the letter.
On July 17, Township Manager Peter Hiryak assured organizers of a twoday craft sale in November that the event would go on as planned.
Also still scheduled is the annual Bike Night on Saturday, Aug. 19 from 4 to 10 p.m., during which Route 73 will be closed.
Hiryak said charitable events which raise money for non-profits and the fire company will still be held, however private events, particularly those which involve serving liquor, are in question.
Brant said a lease is being prepared for Gilbertsville Fire and Rescue to ensure that there is no interruption in fire protection.
Closing the social hall, which has roughly 1,500 members, put more than 20 people of out work and there is no word yet on when, if or how it may open again.
“That’s a function that’s been there for 20 years,” resident Alex Brumwell said at July 17’s meeting. “It would be a shame for the community to lose that.”