A.J. Williams asked to be excused as a councilman during Canonsburg's meeting Monday, walking to the lectern to address his fellow elected leaders -- this time as a private citizen imploring them to listen to the public and permit the Knights of Columbus to reassemble a creche scene on borough property.

"It is our feeling that we don't violate any sort of law, especially if we incorporate it into a larger display," he said during the public comment portion of council's voting meeting.

After more than a half-hour behind closed doors discussing potential litigation associated with moving the creche back, council voted unanimously to allow its placement in front of the borough building.

Williams and Mayor David H. Rhome worked with a small group of residents who researched case law and reached out to local clergy to plan a display for the front yard of the Canonsburg borough building that would include both religious and nonreligious items.

Several residents spoke in favor of the plan, saying that Supreme Court rulings have established that large-scale holiday displays -- complete with nativity scenes, snow flakes, Santa Claus figures and other secular and nonsecular items -- are permissible.

Borough Manager Terry Hazlett at the beginning of the holiday decorating season had asked the Knights of Columbus to assemble its nativity scene from its usual spot in front of the municipal building to a space just down the street in front of private property.

That decision was in response to a written complaint from a resident who said it was offensive for those residents who are not Christians to be subjected to religious iconography on government property.

Hazlett's decision was initially supported by council and its solicitor, Pat Derrico, who said allowing the creche to stay put after such a complaint could lead to litigation -- adding that case law was overwhelmingly in favor of those lodging complaints about holiday displays and against the municipalities in which they are set up.

Despite those conversations, council's vote on Monday will allow the Knights of Columbus to move the nativity scene back -- something council President Joe Milioto said would be exclusively up to the organization.

Members of council after the meeting said they expected the nativity to be back in its place in front of the borough building as soon as Tuesday morning. It will join the Christmas tree, wreaths and other holiday decorations already on the lawn.

After the vote, Milioto applauded the residents of Canonsburg for their tenacity and cooperation through the process.

"Tonight was a display of peaceful government working together," he said, acknowledging that all of Washington County was likely watching to see how council would act. "The residents of Canonsburg have never taken a back seat in a fight."