A Gilberstville social club, previously located at the Gilbertsville fire house in Douglass Township, ceased operations earlier this month. A complaint about the organization's operations related to its small games of chance led to the eviction of Gilbertsville Fire Company No. 1.

            On Monday, the township's board of supervisors addressed the issue with the public through Solicitor Robert Brant.

            In a June 9 letter to the organization and its president, Wannetta Kollar, Brant explained that the social club had voluntarily stopped all operations, including the sale of food, liquor, gambling and social activities on the premises at 1454 and 1456 E. Philadelphia Ave.

            Gilbertsville Fire and Rescue will continue to occupy the fire house, according to the solicitor.

            In a June 12 letter, Chief Ricky Smith assured the supervisors that the closure of the social club will not affect the emergency response from the fire company. He added that Gilbertsville Fire Company No. 1, which included 24 employees and 1,500 members, will continue to run the Thursday night bingo in the facility's main hall.

            During the meeting, Brant explained that as the trustee of the social club and Gilbertsville Fire and Rescue, township officials have the right to "manage, supervise and direct the fiscal operation, plan of operation and business plan of both" the social organization and the fire company.

            In that role, the township could face legal exposure or financial penalties for a potential liquor license violation, according to the solicitor.  Citing the possibility of litigation, Brant advised the supervisors not to comment publically on the issue.

            On Jan. 27, Douglass Township police received a complaint about the social club's handling of the small games of chance, according to township Manager Pete Hiryak. He said after the meeting that the complaint was quickly forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Police, which assigned it to the Liquor Enforcement Office.

            Brant said he initially heard from Liquor Enforcement Officer Derick Devaney on May 22, then met with stakeholders eight days later. 

            Charles Markofski, the Gilbertsville attorney representing the social club, told the supervisors that Devaney has not issued a citation against the organization. The lawyer said the investigator told him the issue – a technicality based on the language of the liquor license – can be solved by educating the employees.

            Markofski disputed Brant's claim that the supervisors had the authority to force the social club out of the firehouse. He also told the board the organization wants to get back to serving food.

            According to Brant, township officials are moving very slowly to determine which event they will allow at the facility.

            "Baby steps," the solicitor said.