Georgetown council reopens appointment process for vacant commission seat after procedural concerns

The Georgetown Town Council voted to reopen and re-advertise the application process for a vacant commission seat after members said notification and submission procedures were not followed.

Council members said some letters of interest were received after the advertised deadline and that council members had not received a notification email about the opening. One applicant, Angie, told the council she had submitted her letter on the 30th and checked on the fourth; another letter on the agenda was dated the eighth, which she said was after the deadline. After discussing the irregularities, a council member moved to table the current selection and reopen the process so candidates could resubmit letters and the opening could be properly advertised.

The motion to reopen the process was made by a council member who said she had discussed the procedural concerns with the town solicitor and town manager and had been advised to put the matter in an open process. Another council member seconded the motion. Council approved the motion by voice vote; the record shows council members said “aye.” The mover specified the appointment sought was to fill the remainder of a vacant term, not a full term, and recommended not setting a strict expiration date for submissions and suggested a Friday deadline before the Monday meeting as a practical option.

At least one applicant who had filed earlier said she would withdraw her application in favor of the other candidate after a private conversation, but the council’s direction was to reopen submissions and allow anyone interested to apply. Council did not make an appointment at the meeting and did not set a final deadline; staff was directed to re-advertise the vacancy and accept resubmitted letters.