Curritio elected council president after contested two-round vote

Meg (May) Curritio was elected president of the Lansdale Borough Council after a contested reorganization meeting that required two roll-call rounds of voting. The mayor opened the floor for nominations; Mary Fuller and Curritio were nominated for the presidency and both made statements to the council before votes were taken.

Fuller, a long-serving member who spoke about 16 years on council and a record of infrastructure and community projects, sought another term as president. Curritio said the borough needed “fresh eyes” and focused her remarks on fiscal responsibility and the need to address the borough’s financial challenges.

A council member sharply accused colleagues of orchestrating the nominations and suggested a newly elected member had influenced the outcome for political advantage. That allegation drew pointed responses from other council members, who defended the independence of their votes and urged civility.

Council held a roll-call vote on Fuller first; Fuller did not secure the majority and the council proceeded to a second roll-call vote on Curritio. The second round produced a majority in favor and Curritio was declared council president by the mayor. The transcript records council members voting both for and against each nominee during the roll calls.

After being declared president, Curritio thanked council members and said she would work to earn the confidence of the whole body, stressing that she remains “one of nine votes” and pledging to encourage open communication.

The meeting moved on to elect a vice president and handle administrative business after the reorganization was completed.