North Strabane Supervisor Will Be Appointed Nov. 9

Jeff Stanley told fellow supervisors that he'd hate to see a resident interested in filling the board vacancy left turned away because they'd missed the application deadline.

But when Stanley moved to add an action item on the matter to Tuesday's agenda, it died for lack of a second.

That happened after members of the board—including two sitting supervisors who have applied for the position—and one member of the public spoke out, saying a deadline extension wouldn't be fair.

Supervisor Bill Brooks simply shook his head, saying, "I don't see the point of it."

Resident Brian Spicer, who is a former board chairman and current candidate for North Strabane Township supervisor, then spoke out from his seat in the audience.

"Why put a deadline in the paper if you aren't going to hold to it," he asked, adding he didn't think it was fair for the seven people who made application in time for consideration.

Board Chairman Steve Motzer explained that each of the seven candidates—who he said included several residents who are currently running for office and two fellow supervisors—would be interviewed Nov. 9 by the township's vacancy board.

Because both Supervisor Rob Balogh and Brooks made application to fill the post, the township's vacancy board could consist of Motzer, Stanley and a resident, Stewart White. Balogh and Brooks, Motzer explained, would need to recuse themselves from the process in one scenario.

However, if Brooks wins his seat as supervisor and Balogh his bid for Washington County coroner, both men would be able to sit on the vacancy board—which would require a majority vote to appoint a member.

After the meeting, township Manager Frank Siffrinn explained that if Balogh and Brooks are unsuccessful with their campaigns, the three-member vacancy board will meet privately with each of the seven candidates, and then publicly appoint one of the applicants to fill the position.

Siffrinn also added that because the township's vacancy board would then be composed of only three members because of the need for two supervisors to recuse themselves, the decision made must be unanimous.

He explained that while Sulc had resigned with four years left on his term, state law stipulates that the appointed supervisor will serve a two-year term—and may choose to run to retain the remaining two years during the next municipal election.

An appointment is expected to be made Nov. 9, and while the meeting will be held in the township building, the time was not immediately available.