Lansford Borough Council members are facing criticism over the way they picked their new tax collector.

A resident who applied for the position says council didn't give her application a fair shake when they chose the new collector at a special meeting last week.Donna Valent addressed council Wednesday night, saying she opposed the procedure that the board took to fill the vacancy."I am here to personally object to the action taken by Lansford Borough Council at the special meetingFeb. 5, with the procedure taken to fill the vacancy in the office of the tax collector," she said, reading from the statement.Valent said if the action isn't corrected, she will get her attorney involved. But the borough's solicitor says council has done nothing wrong."It's an unfortunate situation, but it is not one where something wasn't done in accordance with the law," solicitor Michael Greek said.Greek said the board was free to vote on Valent's candidacy again if they wanted to. They did - but only two members voted in favor.Council members appointed Terrance McCall to the tax collector position last week by a 4-3 vote. With longtime tax collector Daniel Wynn announcing his retirement in January, it was the first time the borough chose a new tax collector in 32 years.They held the special meeting because they were under pressure to appoint the tax collector in time to have his or her name printed on the property tax bills that will be mailed out next month, according to president Martin Ditsky.Before the vote for McCall, they deadlocked in a tie over whether to appoint Valent.On Wednesday, Valent said that she objected to the board considering another candidate after they deadlocked on her."I respectfully request council reconsider taking appropriate action to resolve my questions and objections," she said.The first time the board voted on Valent's nomination, Ditsky, Jared Soto and Matthew Walsh voted in favor, while Rose Mary Cannon and Colin Jones voted against. John Turcmanovich and Joe Butrie both abstained.Solicitor Michael Greek then pointed out that they could only abstain if there was a conflict of interest, prompting Butrie to change his vote to "no," and the vote to 3-3.Valent contended that if a board member wanted to abstain, they should have a chance to make their case, rather than being compelled to vote. Walsh said he felt the board members were "pressured."She also said the board should have taken no more candidates after the tie vote could be broken.Greek defended allowing the board to nominate other candidates. He also said that the subsequent nomination for McCall basically nullified the tabled tie vote for Valent's candidacy."I can't control if someone makes another motion," Greek said. "Is it illegal? No."