Plum preparing to fill council vacancy created by president's election as district judge

When Plum’s new council is seated in January, one of its first duties will be to fill a vacancy among its ranks.

One of council’s seven seats will be vacant after Mike Doyle, the council’s current, longtime president, won election as district judge in this year’s election. Doyle, a Republican, defeated Democrat Melanie Pallone for the office that serves Plum and Oakmont.

While Doyle said on election night that he would resign his council seat at its meeting Nov. 13, he decided not to because doing so then would have required an appointment to be made within 30 days.

Instead, Doyle said he will resign at council’s meeting on Dec. 13, which will allow the new council to make the appointment.

Council will have three new members — Republicans Steve Schlauch, Dave Majernik and Jerry Purcell — who won the three seats that were up for election this year. Councilman Ryan Joseph Delaney, a Democrat, lost his bid for reelection, while Councilmen Dave Vento and Dan Hadley did not seek reelection.

Council will reorganize and hold an agenda meeting Jan. 2, said David Soboslay, the interim borough manager.

In anticipation of the vacancy, Plum is accepting applications from those interested in serving the two years remaining on Doyle’s term.

The borough is accepting applications through a form on its website, plumboro.com, until 4 p.m. Dec. 15. Applicants are required to attach a letter of interest and a resume to be considered. They also must attest that they are at least 18 years old and a current borough resident.