A vacant seat on Summit Hill Borough Council was filled Thursday night.

Leigh Ann Kruslicky was chosen to replace Lacey Gonzalez, who resigned earlier this month.

Kruslicky, a paralegal, was one of two residents of the town who applied. Also seeking the appointment was George Ruzicka, husband of Mayor Karen Ruzicka.

Kruslicky was selected by a 4-1 vote. In favor were Council Vice President Joseph Weber, Joanie Morana, Sherri Buzik and Edward Kane. Opposed was Marlene Basiago, who nominated Ruzicka.

Kruslicky is the wife of Alan Kruslicky, who previously served on borough council. She is a lifelong resident of Summit Hill.

In another appointment, Darryl Cunfer was named to the Coaldale-Lansford-Summit Hill Sewer Authority. He fills the seat vacated earlier this month by the resignation of Jeffrey Szczecina, who is moving to Centre County.

Cunfer, one of five candidates for the authority appointment, was chosen by a 3-2 vote.

Others who applied were Nicolette Scheitrum, George Ruzicka, John Dowling, and council member Basiago.

Park improvements

In another matter, Augusto Altemose of Fell Street questioned the plans for improvements to Memorial Park, which is the former Old Presbyterian Cemetery.

Basiago, who is spearheading the campaign for improvements to the park, stressed that the graves buried there will not be disturbed and the park will not be converted into a recreational area or playground.

She said the project calls for repairing a deteriorating stone wall, placing a walking path of pavers in the park, adding benches and some tables and also planting a flower bed along the walkways.

Ed Altemose, also of Fell Street, said presently many people use the park for walking dogs, seeing 40 to 50 dogs per day. Some of these individuals do not clean up after their pets.

Basiago said she feels it is disrespectful utilizing a cemetery for a dog-walking park.

Ed Altemose said that sometimes young people camp out in the park all night and don’t clean up their litter. He said he and other Fell Street residents often pickup the debris.

Basiago said for the park improvements to occur, the committee planning the project needs the support of residents and grants.

Various fundraisers are occurring including an upcoming halupki sale.

She said three grants are being sought, including a Trails and Recreation Program Grant in the amount of $68,433.18. This grant will only cover the repairs needed to the stone wall surrounding the park.

Other business

Two other matters occurred during the meeting:

• Basiago volunteered and was appointed to a newly formed Source Water Protection Steering Committee being formed by Jim Thorpe Borough and including Summit Hill.

• The Lutheran Church of St. John in the Heights of Jim Thorpe was granted permission to have police and fire police assist at the 55th annual Switchback Scamper foot race on Sept. 27.