Coaldale Borough Council decided to replace its president Wednesday night after he missed a second consecutive meeting.

Thomas Keerans is still a member of council.The council voted 4-0 at a sparsely attended meeting to reorganize and appoint new officers.Council members Keerans, Michael Doerr and Francis Hutta were absent from the meeting, as well as Mayor Joel Johnson.The remaining members nominated and confirmed Angela Krapf as president by a 4-0 vote.Council also voted 4-0 to appoint Claire Remington to serve as vice president, though technically that was not a replacement. Doerr was the previous vice president, but submitted a letter of resignation from that post before the meeting began. He will continue to serve on council as well.The members who voted to reorganize said that they were upset that Keerans has missed two meetings, including Wednesday's special meeting."I won't abandon my spot. We ran to do good for the borough, and that's what we're going to do," Krapf said.Remington has criticized Keerans and Doerr for making purchases on behalf of the borough without council approval, specifically entering into a multiyear contract to provide Internet for a time clock that has not been installed."I don't feel he's being ethical with the procedures as a council president, or as a council member, both of them," she said.Contacted after the meeting, Keerans would not say why he hasn't attended the two recent meetings. Asked if he would consider attending again, he was noncommittal."I rebuilt this borough once, and I'm not going to do it again," Keerans said. "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."Keerans said that he is concerned that the new council will try to hire a new full-time police officer and be unable to pay for it.Council did agree to advertise for an officer position Wednesday night. The deadline for applicants is June 25.The borough's treasurer said the position could be paid for using the money the borough will save on part-time officers. Remington said she is also seeking a grant that will cover up to 75 percent of an officer's salary for one year.The board also agreed to place an advertisement seeking a new secretary. Applications for that position will be due before the council's June meeting.