Lehighton’s new mayor has officially been sworn into office.

A ceremony was held for Lehighton Borough Mayor Ryan Saunders on Friday afternoon at the borough municipal building.

Borough solicitor Jim Nanovic swore in Saunders, who was joined by his wife, Tracie, and daughter, Nicole.

Upon taking his oath of office, Saunders pledged to fulfill the duties of his new position.

“I will do the best job that I can to carry out the duties of mayor for the common good of Lehighton,” he said.

Last week, borough council on a 3-1 vote, with one abstention, appointed Saunders to the vacant post.

Council member Grant Hunsicker opposed, while Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky abstained because the mayor is in charge of the police department, and she is married to police Chief Troy Abelovsky. Councilman John Kreitz was absent from the meeting.

After the meeting, Hunsicker, who had been handling mayoral duties in the wake of the death of former Mayor Clark Ritter, 78, said he believes that council should have advertised to give others a chance to apply for the position.

Saunders will fill Ritter’s term, which runs through 2025.

The appointment of Saunders, who was a sitting councilman, has created an open seat on borough council, as well as on the Civil Service Commission.

Letters of interest for both positions are being accepted by the office of the borough secretary or by email to secretary@lehightonborough.org.

Saunders has served on council for the past seven years.