It was standing room only Monday night as Slatington Borough residents and fire department supporters spilled into the borough council's meeting room's hallway.

Over three quarters of the Slatington Volunteer Fire Department showed up to the council meeting to request former chief Keith Weaver be reinstatedafter being removed last month.During October's meeting, the board voted 6-1 to oust Weaver from the appointed position that he held for 13 years on the grounds of insubordination for taking the borough's ladder truck outside the municipality for a funeral. Weaver had been denied permission from the borough's public safety committee chairman, Jon Rinker.Councilman Bryon Reed was the only member to vote against the motion.Deputy Chief Jason Nicholas was appointed to take over as acting chief of the 35-man volunteer department.On Monday night,Nicholas presented the board with a letter and petition containing 18 signatures to reinstate Weaver.Several members of the department spoke on Weaver's behalf, including Fountain Hill Fire Department Chief Dave Boehrer.Weaver had taken the ladder truck to a Sept. 24 funeral for former Fountain Hill fire police officer and firefighter Lt. Matthew Kuhns.The Fountain Hill department had requested the ladder truck to carry the American flag over the archway of the church for the funeral in Bethlehem."Matt's wife wanted the arch flown so I contacted the department. We needed two ladder trucks to raise the flag. It's something we do, it's a brotherhood. When someone goes down, he deserves it. It was a very stressful time for me. I was in shock when I heard all this went down. I knew this area would be protected without the truck between Neffs and Slatedale departments. It's tradition that the department hosting the funeral doesn't use their own truck," Boehrer said."I just hope you can reconsider. We do it for the love of protecting and serving," he said.Borough firefighter Ray Higdon read an emotional letter to the board to influence the council to reconsider its previous decision."Chief Weaver was the first person to take me under his wing and show me how to be a fireman," said the six-year volunteer."Under Chief Weaver membership has increased. He is the most qualified to be chief. He has given time and has committed to provide service for this town. Imagine all the lives he's saved because he was there. He's not just my chief but also my friend."Michael Dempsey's voice broke with emotion as he spoke at the podium."The man's been in it for 35 years. He's served his community."Weaver himself took to the podium for four minutes to request his reinstatement.According to the former chief, the borough department had participated in four prior funerals and "never had a problem before. I don't know why this funeral was different from the other four."The volunteer compared the September funeral to any time the department participates in parades, training or controlled burns."It's not different. We put in eight-hour days for training and controlled burns. We've never jeopardized this community," he said.Weaver's voice cracked when he spoke of the sense of family he feels having worked in the department for 35 years."It's a brotherhood. I just want to be reinstated so I can be with my guys. We are a well-oiled machine," Weaver said.According to Nicholas, even with all the controversy surrounding his new appointment, the department has continued to serve the municipality without incident."We're doing this to show support. Right or wrong, we support each other 100 percent," he said.The council then moved on to agenda items after the public comments wrapped up, prompting borough solicitor Thomas Dinkelacker to ask the council to address the comments."As a courtesy to the residents in attendance," he said.The board agreed to take the matter, "into consideration," but continued on with the business previously set by the agenda.