A bid to change the start time of Belleville city council set off a tense debate and caused a short halt in proceedings Monday night.
It began as an issue to change the start time from 5:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m, on a motion by councillor Jack Miller.
Councillor Paul Carr argued 5:00 p.m. allowed the public easier acess and he read out a long list of eastern Ontario towns and cities using 6:30 or 7:00 p.m. start times.
Miller pointed out only one or two members of the public were in the chamber and council meetings are now live-streamed on the internet.
Councillor Mitch Panciuk challenged it as a motion to reconsider needing six votes to succeed, causing Mayor Taso Chrstopher to call a recess while he received advice.
In the end council approved the change back to 4:00 p.m. start time on a vote of 5 to 4 with councillors Mccaw, Panciuk, Boyce and Carr voting against.