Bruce Markovich was elected the new president of Lansford Borough Council on Monday by a 4-2 vote.

He succeeds Jared Soto as the president. Soto’s term on the council expired in December and he chose not to run for re-election.

In favor of Markovich were John Turcmanovich, William Chuma, Bob Silver and Markovich. Opposed were Marie Ondrus and Martin Ditsky. Irma Leibensperger was absent.

There were no other nominations.

Bob Silver was the only nomination for vice president, and he got the seat on the same 4-2 vote.

Turcmanovich was named president pro tem, also via a 4-2 vote with Ondrus and Ditsky opposed.

The council agreed to continue meeting on the first Wednesday of each month. The regular monthly meeting will be on Wednesday.

Individuals permitted to sign checks are the council president, vice president, secretary-treasurer and assistant secretary-treasurer. This was approved by a 4-2 vote, with Ondrus and Ditsky casting nays.

Appointments to authorities and committee member assignments will be announced on Wednesday, Markovich said.

The new council president proposed changing committee meetings to all be held on the same evening from 6-8 p.m.

Borough resident Mary Soberick expressed concern because it would mean a person wanting to hear one committee might be forced to stay for all the preceding committee meetings.

There also was concern that the setup would violate the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act.

The Times News reporter noted that committees consist of three members. If more than three members attend, they must be advertised meetings.

Turcmanovich said he should be able to attend committee meetings as a resident and ask questions without being in violation.

It was pointed out that any discussion of borough business with the majority of the council present must be advertised.

Markovich then agreed to have committee meetings held as they have been in the past.