Changes have been made in the procedure for filling vacancies in elective offices of boroughs, such as the 12 in Carbon County, under the terms of legislation signed into law by the governor.

Previously, vacancies in the offices of borough council, mayor, auditor, controller and tax collector were filled by the borough council, or in the event the council failed to act, then on a petition to the county court would the vacancy be filled.

Under the new law, such borough vacancies would be filled within 15 days by a “vacancy board” consisting of the borough council and one registered elector of the borough elected by the council who shall act as chairman of the vacancy board.

In the event the vacancy board fails to act within 15 days, the chairman then is required to petition the court to fill the vacancy.