Lansford Borough Council on Wednesday approved a $2.08 million revised budget and welcomed a new councilman.

Council approved the revised budget, which was reopened in January with a reorganized council. The budget, which allocated additional funds for a full-time police officer, keeps taxes the same as last year.

The budget passed on a 4-2 vote with council members Gwyneth Collevechio and Bruce Markovich voting no.

Council was still down one member when it acted on the budget due to the resignation of George Gilbert, who served as its council president. Vice President Joe Genits has taken the lead in his absence.

Council then turned to filling the vacant seat, with Genits allowing those who submitted letters of interest to speak, if they so chose, before the vote. They included former Councilwoman Jennifer Staines, John Hosak, John Zym, Benjamin Sherry, former Councilman William Chuma and Dean Strohl.

Staines, who was appointed to the borough planning commission this year, submitted a letter of resignation to avoid a conflict with serving on council. The resignation was accepted ahead of council acting on its vacancy.

Staines had spoken earlier during public comment, when she pointed out that main current council members had served previously and that there was no new blood to have.

She also addressed her narrow defeat in the November election and showed council the Certification of Election she received in error from the county saying that she won.

“The commissioners are looking into it,” Staines said. “I’m not backing down. I’m going hard with this, because I don’t really know who won that seat.”

She did not speak any further, and stood on her letter of interest, in which she said she didn’t believe her work was done yet.

Hosak spoke briefly, saying he wanted to move the borough forward and work with everyone to make things run smoother, including monthly meetings which he said run especially long.

Sherry, who is a field engineer, said he works with municipalities every day, and has insight into what it takes to keep things running smoothly. He said he is invested in the community where he chooses to raise his children and wants to be part of its growth and progress.

Chuma spoke on his experience with the borough’s public works department, and the number of street and sewer improvements done during his tenure.

Strohl and Zym stood on their letters of interest.

Councilman Jack Soberick moved to appoint Zym, who last year served as the Civil Service Commission chair.

Council removed him from the post in November following him submitting and withdrawing a letter of resignation, in which he criticized council. In his letter of interest, Zym said the borough could return to its former glory and wanted to be on the team for the borough’s revitalization.

Councilwoman Michele Bartek moved to appoint Hosak, but there was already a motion on the floor, which was seconded by Councilman Joe Butrie.

Council split 3-3 on the appointment. Soberick, Butrie and Genits voted yes, and Markovich, Collevechio and Bartek voted no.

Mayor Denise Leibensperger broke the tie, voting yes, making the vote 4-3 to approve Zym’s appointment.

Leibensperger then administered the oath of office to Zym, who was immediately seated as a councilman. Council did not reorganize and select a new council president.