Councilors Alfred E. Vellucci and Thomas Danehy responded to Greenberg's testimony with emotional, sometimes angry, statements.
"I don't think a nativity scene is a slap in the face to any groups or religions," Danehy said. "It's to celebrate the coming of the 25th of the year, it's for kids."
Both Danehy and Vellucci said they thought Wolf was making trouble by bringing up the issue.
"I think it took a nit-picker to bring this up," said Danehy.
When Wolf said she did not think questioning government promotion of religious practices was nit-picking, Danehy slammed his fist down and shouted, "Bullshit it's not."
Councilor William H. Walsh attacked Greenberg for saying that the city might face a lawsuit if it enacted the ordinance.
"I find it offensive that someone from the ADL comes in and tells me that if we put up the symbols of our beliefs and heritage we're going to get a lawsuit," he said.
Walsh and Vellucci each offered to pay $60 for the erection of the nativity scene in the Common.
Walsh said later he was surprised by the issue and thought the debate was offensive.
"Feelings got pretty intense," said Councilor Sheila T. Graham.