By Dan Russo, Times Correspondent

COLWYN — With the controversy surrounding Colwyn Fire Co. still burning, residents packed into borough hall Thursday night to say their piece at a brief, but impassioned council meeting.

“Why is it necessary for a fire company to have a social club?” asked Krisna McGeachie, a resident who said she did not want intoxicated people leaving the building. “I would rather not have drinking in the fire house. I have a 10-year-old son.”

Meanwhile, council passed a series of motions, including one appointing ex-Chief Richard Guerra as the borough’s fire commissioner and another that advertises an ordinance rescinding Colwyn Fire Co. as the borough’s official fire service.

Another motion advertised an ordinance repealing recognition of the firemen’s relief association.

Council President Tonette Pray said their measures were aimed at supporting the firefighters who resigned May 8 and encouraging communication with the fire company’s current leaders.

“We’re going to send a letter to the fire company directors,” said Pray. “We want a firehouse that’s free of alcohol. It’s not only that (firefighters) put their lives on the line, they’re part of the community.”

The votes on the motions were not unanimous. Council members Kathy Brennan and Paul Meuser voted against the measures. They passed 4-2 respectively. A fourth motion approving Darby Fire Co. No 1 as the borough’s primary responder passed 3-2 with one abstention. Council Vice President Dan Betzala was absent.

Meuser said he believes the borough has limited powers with respect to regulating the fire company.

“I believe the fire company is a separate entity,” said Meuser. “That over there is a rec hall. It’s offered to all members, including firefighters. If you did a report on all the fire company’s in Delaware County that have rec halls. Every fire company has them.”

Brennan and Mayor John Fitzgerald, both of whom are members of the fire company, said there was not a difference between active duty and social members. She said members help support the company.

“I can’t get on a truck and fight fires,” she said. “I can raise money.”

Some council members, including Julius Coles and Lisa Mujahid, complied with calls from a resident that they explicitly come out against drinking inside the fire house.

“Being a resident of Colwyn for 14 years, I don’t want a bar in our fire house at all,” said Mujahid.

A group of active firefighters quit, including former Chief Guerra, citing drinking by social members, poor treatment and equipment issues by members.

Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement agents searched the fire house last week amid allegations of illegal alcohol sales. Two slots machines and liquor were confiscated, although police said no charges have been filed and the investigation is ongoing.

Another issue raised since last week is how $42,000 in taxpayer funds allocated in 2007 was spent by the fire company, and how $100,000 from the borough sewer fund was used during a transaction involving a fire truck purchase in 2006.

Fire company President F. Earl Reed III, appointed after a reorganization Monday, addressed council at the meeting for several minutes during the public forum, but was unsatisfied after the meeting,

“I was shut down,” said Reed. “I was not given enough time to speak.”

The fire company board decided to ban Guerra and two other volunteers Monday after allegations they improperly used a fire truck, according to Reed. He said the board is trying to get the service back up and running and new chief John Reed is seeking volunteers.

Ex-Lt. Joseph Ballerino, one of the three volunteers banned by the board, spoke Thursday night, saying the drinking and substandard equipment prompted him to resign with the others. He said he still hopes to return, pending a resolution.

“You can’t blacklist people,” said Ballerino. “We just want our fire company back.”