LOCK HAVEN — With the sudden termination of Lock Haven City Manager Gregory Wilson on Monday night, questions remained as to how the municipality will operate.

Wilson’s immediate suspension and termination was approved by resolution in a 4-3 vote by council on Monday night, prior to its regular agenda items. It followed an executive session that took place prior to council’s regular meeting.

The move seemed to spark disagreement between its members, as council members Rick Conklin, Barb Masorti and Tami Brannan spoke out against the decision.

With the termination in place, The Express contacted members of city staff to learn what steps they must take in order to keep the day-to-day operations flowing while council considers its next steps.

Staff indicated questions should be asked to Mayor Joel Long and council members Jeff Brinker, Micah Clausen and Masorti, who they met following Monday’s decision.

According to Long, who voted to terminate Wilson’s employment, he will be requesting to appoint a staff member as a temporary city clerk/administrator at a special meeting tonight. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in council chambers.

“We have a great staff and will work with them to cover all the bases while the council plans the next steps. We have a lot of work to do,” Long told The Express.

Masorti, who previously spoke against the termination on Monday night, said she was shocked and saddened by the direction council chose to go in.

She indicated her fellow councilmembers who voted in favor of the decision said they would like to move in a different direction.

“There hasn’t been any further explanation offered by the group, even when questioned, about what that means or what direction they intend to go,” Masorti said.

Though in disagreement with the decision made by the majority of council, Masorti said she’s accepted it and will work to find a new manager.

“I will not be fighting, name calling or otherwise disparaging other members of council. I think it’s important to have council act as a body in the best interest of the city,” she said.

Brinker told The Express he was pleased with the outcome of the meeting, which he said served as a way to inform staff what took place.

“I was pleased with the outcome of the meetings and the professional attitude of each departments committment to serving the community through this transitional period,” he said.

Clausen, another member who voted in favor of the termination, said when council members and the mayor met with city staff, they asked for them to continue doing their jobs as they normally would.

“We have great faith in our city staff. They are hard working and competent,” he told The Express. “In the past, our city has functioned on days that the city manager was ill and we know that our city will function the same during these days as well.”

Clausen further said he wishes Wilson well following council’s decision.