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Lower Paxton supervisors accept Stewart resignation, set 30-day application process to fill vacancy
Summary
The board accepted Dr. Charles E. Stewart's resignation and directed a public application-and-interview process to fill the seat within the 30-day statutory window: applications due July 14, interviews July 21 and possible appointment at the Aug. 3 meeting.
The Lower Paxton Township Board of Supervisors unanimously accepted the resignation of Dr. Charles E. Stewart, effective with his June 17 letter, and moved to begin a public application process to fill the vacancy under state law.
Solicitor Stennett told the board the statute requires a 30-day timeline to act. To meet that requirement, the board agreed on a timetable: applications must be submitted by July 14, supervisors will provide candidate rankings to the township manager by July 18, and the board will hold public interviews on July 21 with the option to appoint either that night or at its Aug. 3 meeting.
Stennett said the board should use an application form and may request a resume and letter of interest. He recommended a simple rubric and scoring system so supervisors can nominate a shortlist for public interviews. Multiple supervisors asked that interviews be public and that candidates be asked the same set of questions; managers said staff will post the process and application details to the township website and social channels.
Residents at the meeting urged transparency and careful consideration, warning that a short timetable could discourage potential applicants or exclude qualified candidates with preexisting plans. The solicitor and manager responded that the timeline reflects the legal requirement but that the vacancy board would serve as a fallback if the board fails to appoint within 30 days.
The board did not name a specific shortlist at the meeting; it directed staff to publish the application, accept submissions, share the rubrics with supervisors and notify applicants of interview logistics.
The next procedural step: the township manager will publish application instructions and accept packets through noon on July 14; supervisors will score applicants and the top candidates will be invited to public interviews on July 21.
