Owner of Empire Sports Bar accuses borough of withholding funds; council says refunds will follow audit

An owner who identified himself as the proprietor of Empire Sports Bar used the public‑comment period to complain that the borough was withholding funds from his business and that he had engaged a third‑party auditor to investigate the accounts.

The commenter said the borough’s auditor had a conflict and that an independent review was underway. He repeatedly demanded the return of funds, saying "I want my money" and warning that legal papers were coming. The speaker expressed frustration with telephone replies and pressed for in‑person accountability from elected officials.

Council members responded during the exchange that if a billing discrepancy were confirmed the accounting would be audited and any refund to which the business was entitled would be returned. Mayor Grantstrom and other officials acknowledged the complaint, urged the owner to follow the posted procedures for public comment and regular administrative channels, and recorded the remarks on the meeting record.

The record does not include the specific account, the amount the owner claims is due, any timeline for the independent auditor’s findings, or the identity of the borough’s contracted auditor. The owner said he expected the third‑party review to be completed within about "10 days and two weeks," but no written timeline or engagement letter was submitted into the record during the meeting.

Because the speaker did not provide a formal invoice amount or a named municipal billing line in the council meeting, the council responses pledged standard follow‑up rather than an immediate payment.