Council appoints Jason to temporarily fill vacancy; nominee expected to abstain on pilot vote

The Borough Council voted to temporarily fill a council vacancy through Dec. 31, 2026, after the Republican county committee submitted three nominees and one—identified in public remarks only by his first name, Jason—was nominated and elected by roll call.

The appointment followed a motion by a councilmember identified in the record as 'Mike' and a second by 'Katie.' Clerk Sarah Colodrick called the roll; responses recorded by the clerk showed the motion carried. Council members described the county committee process for producing the three nominees and said the same procedure had been used in prior vacancies. "He's sitting right there," one council member said when asked to introduce the nominee to the audience.

Several residents asked about the nominee's familiarity with the pilot application and whether the replacement would vote on that issue. Council members said the nominee and the other two nominees had agreed in advance that they would abstain from voting on the pilot ordinance because they were not part of the prior negotiation process; one council member described that understanding as a recommendation, not a legal restraint. The council president said, "Legally, there will be a duly sworn council person. He is permitted to vote under the law," but several speakers said the nominee intends to abstain, which the council characterized as a voluntary choice.

The council said it will follow its standard process for orienting new members (committee assignments and meetings with the administrator and clerk) and that the appointee will be sworn in before participating in subsequent meetings.