Lansford Borough could soon have not one, but two secretaries in place.

The borough office has been closed since borough council opted not to reappoint its secretary/treasurer at the beginning of January.

On Tuesday, the council members interviewed five of seven applicants for the secretary and assistant secretary positions, Council President Bruce Markovich said.

Two of the applicants have backgrounds in accounting and human resources, he said. They are also familiar with the borough’s current accounting programs, he said.

One candidate is bilingual, speaking Spanish, which is a plus in this region today, Markovich said.

Council is also working on change to the office duties and both hires will be cross trained in all of the office jobs and procedures, he said.

A special meeting is planned Feb. 6 at 5:30 p.m. to hire two secretaries, Markovich said. The borough has been advertising the positions throughout January.

Markovich noted that even though the office has been closed to the public, borough business has continued.

“Bills are being paid, employees are being paid, contractors show up, applicants show up, deposits are made, streets are plowed, garbage is picked up, complaints are reviewed,” Markovich said.

“Things may be going a little slower, but the overall job of the borough is being done,” he said. “The only thing is people cannot pay their garbage bills in person.”

The borough has retained the services of Lacey Gonzalez of LGH Tax and Accounting and hired former secretary Shantel Lauer as a part-time borough secretary on an as-needed basis. Lauer had left in December to take another position.

The borough also has ARRO Consulting handling the billing for rental license fees, he said.

Markovich pointed out that other services, such as phone, closed offices, people had to pay their bills by mail or online.

“The borough isn’t going to end because people have to mail in or use our drop-box for one bill,” he said.