Although he did it on a split vote, Michael Kokinda was re-elected president of Summit Hill Borough Council.

This is Kokinda’s eighth consecutive year as the council president.

The vote to retain Kokinda as president was tied at 3-3 with Mayor Paul McArdle breaking the deadlock in favor of Kokinda.

At the start of the meeting, Councilwoman Debra Ranck nominated David Wargo for council president. A vote was taken and a 3-3 tie ensued.

McArdle was asked to break the deadlock and said he favored Kokinda.

Voting in favor of Wargo were Ranck, Wargo and Karen Ruzicka. Opposed were Kokinda, Gregory Kosciolek and O’Gurek.

When the nomination for Kokinda occurred, the roll call was reversed, necessitating the mayor to cast the deciding ballot.

O’Gurek was elected vice president by a 6-0 vote.

Wargo was elected president pro tem by unanimous vote.

In the general election, Kokinda was re-elected to both a four-year term and a two-year term. He chose the four-year position.

As a result, a vacancy for a two-year term exists on the council. Applications will be accepted for the two-year post.

Attorney Robert Frycklund was appointed solicitor at a rate of $100 per hour.

He succeeds attorney Michael Greek, who was solicitor for many years but had to resign because he was elected Carbon County District Attorney in November.

Frycklund’s choice was unanimous by the council.

Four attorneys had applied for the position.

Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank was retained as the borough’s depository.

Carbon Engineering was retained as the borough engineer on a 5-1 vote. Ranck opposed.

Joseph Fittos Jr. will continue serving as the chief of police.

Shawn Hoben was reappointed fire chief at a rate of $400 per year.

Kevin Steber was reappointed EMA coordinator for the borough at a rate of $300 per year.

Daniel Matika was retained as zoning officer and rental inspector at a rate of $17 per hour.

Scott Bieber is the borough’s sewage enforcement officer. William Brior is the alternate sewage enforcement officer.

Attorney Michael Garfield was renamed solicitor for the zoning hearing board and borough’s planning commission at a rate of $65 per hour.

Lehigh Engineering will continue serving as the borough’s property maintenance code enforcement officer on a 5-1 vote, with Ranck opposed.

Wayne Gryzik was given another five-year term on the Summit Hill Water Authority.

Stanley Karnish was reappointed to a five-year term on the Coaldale Lansford Summit Hill Joint Sewer Authority.

Nathan Halenar received another five-year term on the Planning Commission.

Thomas Tkach got reappointed to a three-year term on the Zoning Hearing Board.

William Walker was reappointed for a six-year term on the Civil Service Commission.

Two seats are vacant on the Appeals Board but there were no applicants for the position.

Amber Zuber and Michelle Midas were reappointed to the Summit Hill Recreation Commission for two-year terms.

The council agreed to continue giving a $10.50 discount to garbage collection customers who receive their bills via email.

Kokinda said he will name committees at the next meeting of the council, which will be held at 7 p.m. on Jan. 20.

The council will continue meeting on the fourth Monday of each month.