Lansford went back to square one in its search for a new secretary-treasurer.

Council, after an executive session at a special session Wednesday, voted to hire Beth Ann Seymour, Coaldale, for the job after the first candidate the board voted to hire turned it down.On July 13, council, with Councilwoman Rosemary Cannon and Councilman Tommy Vadyak absent, voted to hire Susan Gibiser at $13.50 an hour to start. But council president Adam Webber in an emailed message July 19, said that Gibiser, who works in a similar position in West Penn Township, declined the job.Gibiser, also in an emailed message, said she's happy in her position with West Penn Township.Seymour replaces Renee Slakoper, who resigned as of May 25. Pending background checks, Seymour will start her new job on Aug. 1 at a probationary wage of $13.50 an hour.On Wednesday, council members Cannon, Mary Kruczek, Andrew Snyder, Lenny Kovach and president Adam Webber voted to hire Seymour. Vadyak cast the sole opposing vote and Danielle Smith was absent.Efforts to reach Seymour for comment early Thursday were unsuccessful.