Slatington Borough Council appointed an officer manager this week to help with daily operations since a borough manager has not been hired.

Duane Dellecker of Lehighton was chosen for the position on a vote of 6 to 1. Councilman Galen Freed was the only opposition.The newly created position was discussed in conjunction with the topic of borough manager.Councilman David Schnaars suggested the borough advertise for the position again, which was agreed on unanimously.Slatington has not had a borough manager for about four years.Kevin Deppe took the position last July but resigned by October.The office manager position pays $17 an hour for about 40 hours a week.The primary responsibility of the office manager is "to coordinate the daily activities of the borough office and office staff, organize borough council meetings and committee meetings and to coordinate actions of borough council," Dellecker said.He also maintains his responsibility as a zoning and building code official.Dellecker, as office manager, handles the day-to-day operations of the borough office, which handles general relations with the residents of the community."I'm thrilled that they considered me for this position. I hope I can live up to their expectations," Dellecker said."I'm tickled that they're giving me the opportunity to help."Dellecker has been handling zoning and building issues since 2002.He has been active in government since 1987 and retired two years ago as director of the Carbon County Department of Solid Waste and Farmland Preservation Program Coordinator, serving the county for nearly 20 years. He is seeking the Republican nomination for Carbon County commissioner.Since then, he has been working part-time for several local communities, dealing with zoning and building-related issues.