Applicants Sought for Borough Council Vacancy

Although the vacancy won’t exist until the new year, on Monday night Hellertown Borough Council members unanimously approved an effort to try to fill it early.

The vacancy will exist because Earl Hill–a newcomer on council–was elected to fill both a two-year and a four-year term starting in January.

Hill has chosen to fill the four-year term, which means the vacancy will be for a two-year seat on the seven-member council, president Tom Rieger explained.

Council typically has 30 days to fill an open seat from the time a vacancy is declared, but council members agreed they would prefer to be proactive in filling it by seeking applicants early.

Council decided letters of interest from prospective applicants will be due by noon on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015.

Following a reorganization meeting at 6 p.m. Jan. 4, council will hold a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. to review the candidates and appoint someone to fill the vacancy.

Letters of interest may be submitted to the borough manager, Borough of Hellertown, 685 Main St., Hellertown, PA 18055.

In addition to borough residency for at least one year, all applicants must be registered voters.

Council members are paid $1,920 annually in monthly installments of $160 each, except for the council president, who’s paid $2,400 annually in monthly installments of $200.