An ordinance establishing a municipal fire department in Jim Thorpe could come up for a vote as soon as next month.

During a borough council workshop Thursday night, Borough Manager Maureen Sterner said the ordinance has been drafted and circulated to council members."If council is ready, it could vote next week for it to be advertised," Sterner said.One month after advertisement, the ordinance would be ready for a final vote.Council started the restructuring process in September when it decided to create a municipal fire department."After a lengthy discussion, borough discussion feels a municipal fire department, formed by an ordinance, will address internal issues such as personnel, buildings, finances and equipment," said Jay Miller, a councilman and volunteer firefighter, in September.The restructuring will likely include the merger of two of the department's three companies, Phoenix and Fairview hose companies."The goal is to have two departments, one up on the hill and one on the east side of town," Miller said.Diligent Fire Company 3 is located in the "Heights" section of the borough.Frank Lauth, of the Fairview Hose Company, questioned council Thursday on whether the merger should even take place given the plan for a municipal department."I'm assuming it will be like Palmerton, where there is one building that everyone moves into," Lauth said.Miller corrected him, however, noting that the two companies will function independently and maintain their current buildings."The borough is going to have tighter control, but there are no plans for a new building," Miller said. "The fire companies will keep their own money and structure with the exception of line officers. That is where the borough control will come in."Jim Thorpe meets again Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Memorial Hall on East 10th Street.