Resident tells Montgomery County commission a lawsuit challenges Pike Road Volunteer Fire Department board membership and ambulance authority

A resident identified in the meeting as Mr. Thompson told the Montgomery County Commission during public comment that a lawsuit has been filed challenging the membership of the Pike Road Volunteer Fire Department board and asserting limits on the fire authority’s power to run an ambulance service.

Thompson said the suit alleges four of the five board members “are not qualified” to serve, citing verification from tax records and newly released voting-roll information. He said the suit seeks, if successful, to remove those members from the board. He also said the complaint claims the fire authority “does not have the authority to enter into an ambulance service business,” and that the legal filing addresses county discussions about providing an ambulance and funding for ambulance operations.

Thompson told commissioners he would provide a copy of the lawsuit to the commission and that his attorney is available to speak with county counsel about “the legal ramifications.” He asked the county association to allow the Montgomery County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments to operate the Pike Road Volunteer Fire Department to “rectify some of the things that have gone on over the last several years.”

The remarks were made during the meeting’s public-comment period. Commissioners did not take a formal vote or issue a directive on the matter during the session; Thompson’s statements were presented to the commission as information for its consideration.

Thompson also said he did not yet know how long the alleged disqualifications have existed and did not give additional documentary details during his comment. He characterized some recent county conversations about supporting ambulance service operations as part of the dispute.

Because the claim is the subject of pending litigation, the commission did not debate or act on the substance of the suit in the meeting’s public record. Thompson offered to distribute the complaint and to have counsel meet with county attorneys, but the transcript records no follow-up motion or scheduling of discussion by the commission.

The commission’s public-comment minutes will note the comment and any documents subsequently provided by Thompson will be available in the county’s record of public submissions if filed with the clerk.