PORT TOWNSEND – A public hearing Monday on a proposed clean water district for East Jefferson County was postponed after only a few comments were heard – all in opposition.

The reason: An overflow crowd far beyond the 90-person capacity of the Jefferson County Superior Court courtroom violated the fire code.

When Mats Mats resident and frequent county critic Mike Belenski counted the number of people in the room, he called East Jefferson Fire-Rescue.

Attendance at the county commissioners’ hearing totaled 107 when Community Development Director Al Scalf, acting as county fire marshal, put the damper on it.

The hearing was rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the larger Fort Worden State Park Commons.