In a split vote, Monday night the Slatington Borough Council appointed 10-year-long resident Mel Gildner to the board vacancy.

In December 2016, Councilman Bob Steets submitted his letter of resignation from the borough. According to the board, Steets had moved out of the municipality limits, leaving him unqualified to serve the community.According to solicitor Tom Anewalt of Dimmich, Dinkelacker and Anewalt P.C., the council had 30 days as of Dec. 12, to fill the position.Requirements to be part of council are to retain residency for at least one year, be 18 years of age and be a registered voter. Since the spot was vacated, political party affiliation did not apply."I make a motion to put Gildner in since he is the only one who applied," Councilman Jon Rinker said.The board exchanged hushed whispers before council President Gwyneth Jones asked residents in attendance if anyone would have any interest in the vacancy.After being met with silence, the board voted to appoint Gildner with Jones and Councilman Bryon Reed against the appointment while Joe Wechsler, Rinker, David Schnaars and Michael Brogan voting in favor of the motion."I just want to say I have attended 95 percent of all these meetings in the last eight years," Gildner said.The term ends in one year when the new council will be voted on in November 2018."I just want to thank council people who voted for me. I will be an asset to the board. Any resident can call me. My number is in the book. Anyone who thinks I'm not fair, please call me and we can speak as gentlemen or lady and gentleman," Gildner said.Before the next council meeting in February, Gildner will have to file the correct paperwork and take the oath to serve on council.Along with the appointment, the board heard from Jason Ruff of the Main Street Merchants Group, who updated the board on the continued success of the local business owners association."We recently sent out a letter to Main Street businesses and asked any owners or employees to join us. We are planning a Shop Local Campaign to support the area. A planning session and workshop to develop a three- to five-year plan will be held Tuesday, Feb. 7," he said.The second First Friday event is slated to take place Feb. 3 with events and activities."Everyone is invited to participate," he said.The borough's solar speed limit signs have arrived at the garage and will be placed after their locations are decided. Rinker told the board the preliminary placements will be at the top of Main Street near Victory Park and the second will be placed near Boyers Hardware store."We will put posts up through the area to be able to move them around," he said.