Borough Council Appoints Shay To Replace Hatboro's Ostrander

HATBORO, PA —How many Nicoles can serve on one council? For Hatboro, the answer is three.

Nicole Shay was sworn in Monday night by Mayor Tim Schultz to fill the vacant seat of the late Councilwoman Aleta Ostrander on the seven-member council.

She joins Councilwomen Nicole McMenamin and Nicole Reichner.

Shay was chosen from a pool of seven candidates who applied for the post when residents sent in letters of interest to replace Ostrander, who passed away on Dec. 5, a borough official said. The borough will honor Ostrander sometime after the new year.

Her selection was not discussed by the council during Monday's meeting. Officials said an advisory board brought Shay's recommendation to the council for a vote. She was approved unanimously.

Shay, a married mother of two who is a small business owner, had sent in a letter of interest to fill the council seat. The term expires on Dec. 31, 2023.

"Nicole is extremely passionate about Hatboro and has volunteered in numerous capacities throughout our community," Hatboro officials said in a Facebook post. "Nicole loves giving back to her community however she can and is always looking for ways to improve the future of Hatboro. Congratulations, Councilwoman Shay."

Shay served on the borough's planning commission and was also a member of the Pennypack Building Facility Steering Committee.

With her appointment and Ostrander's passing, Council President George Bollendorf shifted some council assignments, appointing Councilwoman Amanda Jacobus to head public safety.

Ostrander was first appointed to Borough Council in May 2006 and served until Dec. 31, 2011. She was re-elected to the council in 2019 and served a second term from Jan. 1, 2020, until her passing.