Lansford Borough Council welcomed a new member of council on Tuesday during a special meeting.

Republican council candidate George Gilbert was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Jay Doyle, who was removed from office by a Carbon County judge last month.

Doyle is serving 42-84 months in state prison for a 2023 felony assault that left a man hospitalized for five weeks and is lodged in the State Correctional Facility in Waymart, Wayne County.

He refused to voluntarily resign from council, even though he began serving his sentence in November and acknowledged in court via video that he could not continue as council vice president while in prison.

Before a vote, Councilman Jack Soberick asked if council had to declare Doyle’s seat vacant before moving on an appointment.

Solicitor Bob Yurchak said that the judge already declared the seat vacant with his decision following the quo warranto hearing on June 12. Yurchak also had a copy of the judgment.

Councilwoman Jennifer Staines questioned the motion on the agenda, asking if they were filling his seat or his position as vice president.

Yurchak said it was to fill Doyle’s unexpired term, which ends at the end of the year.

Council President Bruce Markovich said that council had two motions on the agenda — to appoint someone or to advertise seeking interested parties.

Staines moved to appoint Gilbert, who was the top vote-getter for a council seat on the Republican ticket in the May primary. Soberick seconded the motion, and council voted unanimously to seat Gilbert.

Markovich welcomed him amid applause from the audience. Gilbert was immediately sworn in by Mayor Hugh Vrablic and took his place at the council table.

Council then withdrew the motion to advertise for the position.

Council plans to reorganize at its regular meeting next week.