MACUNGIE, Pa. — Macungie Borough Council voted unanimously Monday to accept member Barry Bloch’s resignation.
With Bloch’s former seat officially vacant as of Monday night, the six remaining council members have 30 days to appoint a new member in his place.
Bloch, who did not attend Monday’s meeting, did not explain his departure in the brief letter of resignation he submitted last week.
“Upon somebody expressing an interest, we’ll bring it to council’s attention.”
Council President Ron Karboski
Council President Ron Karboski said that borough staff will post a notice on its website in the coming days asking interested applicants to submit letters of interest.
“Upon somebody expressing an interest, we’ll bring it to council’s attention,” Karboski said.
If a majority of its members cannot agree on a candidate, a previously appointed tiebreaker — Kevin Wieder, according to the borough’s web site — also will get a vote.
If a majority still can't agree on a candidate, registered voters in the borough can ask Lehigh County Court to appoint a new council member instead.
Council can choose from any registered voter who has lived in Macungie for at least a year, and is not required to solicit applications or select someone who submitted a letter.
Whomever the council selects will fill the rest of Bloch’s current term, which expires in January.
Bloch filed to run for another term on borough council. The deadline to withdraw from the race is past; despite his resignation, Bloch still will appear on Republican primary ballots this month.
If he chooses, Bloch will have another opportunity to remove his name from the ballot after the municipal primary.