Strasburg council approves hiring of full‑time fire chief after disputed suspension vote

The Strasburg Village Council voted Aug. 6 to approve Ordinance O‑18‑2024, an emergency measure hiring a new full‑time fire chief, and immediately swore in Jason Ely.

The ordinance’s passage followed a contentious exchange over whether to suspend the council’s mandatory three readings requirement. An early vote to suspend the rule resulted in a 3–3 tie; Mayor Bruce Metzger attempted to cast a deciding vote but was advised by Legal Counsel Terry Seeberger that suspending the three readings requires a council majority. Opponents of the suspension, including Councilmember Dustin Briggs, said their vote was meant to preserve the three‑reading process so the public could comment on proposed ordinances.

After further discussion and departmental remarks, council revisited the suspension. A second motion to suspend the three‑reading rule passed with councilmembers Liz Dreher, Jeff Smith, Wes Hostetler, Kathy Burrier and Martin Zehnder voting yes and Dustin Briggs voting no. The council then approved the ordinance to hire the new chief; the ordinance took effect immediately under its emergency clause and Jason Ely was sworn in by Legal Counsel Terry Seeberger.

During the debate, Lieutenant Colin Trout and Paramedic Izak Farrington told council the fire department was operating under Acting Chief Captain Maria Boswell and that the department had 19 members and access to mutual aid. Mayor Metzger voiced frustration at the delay in filling the chief position and said he wanted the vacancy filled promptly.

Legal Counsel Seeberger reminded the assembly that the three‑reading requirement exists to provide time for community input on proposed legislation. The council’s approval ended with the ordinance adopted as an emergency measure and the newly hired chief sworn into office.

Next steps: the ordinance is in effect immediately; the council did not identify additional procedural steps at the meeting.