Lansford Borough Council failed to fill a vacant council seat Tuesday, leaving the decision to a county judge.

At a special meeting Tuesday, council voted down two of five nominees, deadlocked on two with the mayor casting the tie-breaking vote with a “no” on both, and one person declined the nomination.

Eight people had submitted letters of interest to fill the unexpired term of Jack Soberick, who submitted his resignation at last month’s council meeting. His term ends Dec. 31, 2027.

Those interested included former Councilwoman Jennifer Staines, Katie O’Brien-Herlihy, Anthony Carlino, Linda Harvan, Tommy Vadyak, who currently serves on the Lansford-Coaldale Joint Water Authority and had previously served on council; John Hosak, former Mayor Hugh Vrablic, and former Councilman William Chuma.

Councilman John Zym nominated Carlino; Councilman Joseph Butrie nominated Staines; Councilman Bruce Markovich nominated Vadyak, who immediately declined.

Markovich then nominated Hosak and Councilwoman Gwyneth Collevechio nominated Chuma.

With no other nominations, council moved forward and voted on each nominee. Council voted 5-1 against Carlino with Zym casting the lone “yes” vote and then voted 4-2 against Staines with Zym and Butrie casting the “yes” votes.

Council deadlocked 3-3 on Hosak and Chuma with council members Michele Bartek, Collevechio and Markovich voting “yes,” and Butrie, Zym and Council President Joe Genits voting “no.”

Genits then announced that it was up to Mayor Denise Leibensperger to break the tie, if she so chose. He noted that she could defer her decision as well, but Leibensperger said she would vote.

Leibensperger then voted “no” on both Hosak and Chuma.

Council did not discuss any of the council candidates and did not read their letters of interest publicly.

The council candidate names were listed on council’s agenda in the order they were submitted to the borough, Genits said.

Genits suggested another round of nominations, as there were still people who were not nominated. They included Vrablic, Harvan and O’Brien-Herlihy.

Council members told him “no,” that they were done and the matter now goes to Carbon County Court of Common Pleas for an appointment.

“It’s over. It goes to court now,” Markovich said, as others on council agreed that a judge would now make the decision.

Under Borough Code, council has 30 days to fill a vacancy, which will expire on Thursday as Soberick submitted his resignation on Sept. 9.

The matter would normally go to the borough Vacancy Board, but council does not have a full vacancy board. A vacancy board would have 10 days to appoint a council member.

Genits suggested council appoint someone at their regular meeting on Oct. 14 but was shot down.

“We have 30 days from the date of Jack’s resignation to fill the position. It’s not going to get filled if you’re going to wait until the 14th for vacancy board,” Markovich told him. “We voted tonight, it’s over. It goes to court now.”