Questions about Bowmanstown Fire Company’s finances dominated the borough council meeting this week.

At the top of Bowmanstown’s Borough Council meeting, fire chief Michael Spairana addressed rumors that have bubbled up following last month’s 2-mill increase request.During September’s meeting Spairana told the board a 2-mill fire tax would generate an additional $22,000 to $24,000 for the fire company.The department’s expenses average $60,000, leaving little to no money for updating equipment.The chief said council asked for the details of checks issued to and from the social hall’s bar.“It’s so we know where the money is going,” said Councilman and Fire Committee Chairman John Domant.“You get a copy of the financials. Why all of a sudden are you interested in the bar side of things more than the fire side,” Spairana asked.The chief alleged the council has not been interested in the social area of the department in years, adding the new questions stem from rumors of “sticky fingers.”“Now that the fire side asked for support you’re going to group them together. I don’t have a problem with that, but let’s not change the play in the middle of the game,” he said.The chief said he has since sent the requested information to the borough secretary regarding the regularly issued checks.“But then you wanted details about other checks to people who are being reimbursed for items they bought for the bar,” he said.“The fire company has the strongest leadership it has had in 20 years on both sides.”According to Spairana, athird-party accountant keeps the books for the bar and offered to submit to a “forensic audit” of the financials.“If it proves someone is taking money we’ll pay for the audit,” he said.“I don’t understand why there are rumors going around,” Spairana said.Mayor William Ravert seemed to take exception to the rumors that a council member would insinuate theft at the firehouse bar.“I find it hard to believe anyone in this room would say something like that,” he said.“Statements like that are uncalled for and I can’t believe anyone around this table would make a statement like that,” said Ravert.Spairana insisted he wasn’t in attendance to “bully anyone” but instead to just address the issue.“I know who told me and the person who said it,” he said of the credibility of his source.While he admits in the past there may have been issues, he insists the books and cash are in order.“We try extremely hard to keep our fingers on the pulse of where money is coming in and going out,” he said.Council President Kara Scott agreed with the mayor, saying, “That is a strong allegation that the board would say something like that.”“When asking for public money we have to do our due diligence in finding out what is going on,” said Councilman Rob Moyer.“We would like to meet with you. We have some questions,” said the committee chair Domant.“How long have you been chair of the committee,” asked Spairana.Domant replied three years.“We’ve met once,” Spairana said.Scott directed the conversation to wrap up so the rest of the meeting might continue.“I appreciate those concerns,” she said.Spairana assured the board everything was on the up and up and that the financial books are “open.”Scott told the chief any decision made regarding finances will be made based on “what we can do best to help.”