Lansford Borough Council welcomed a new secretary Tuesday, as they work toward filling other vacancies including a borough solicitor, code enforcement and gaps on borough boards.

Pamela Marrs of Tamaqua started as a borough secretary on Monday, and is quickly picking up the daily tasks, Council President Joseph Genits said.

He hoped that once Marrs is acclimated to the position that the office staff can start catching up on overdue meeting minutes and other work that has fallen behind due to the resignation of the borough treasurer this summer.

Borough Secretary Ashley McLaughlin has been working toward filling that role, learning the treasurer’s duties, Genits said. He hoped that the consultant working on recommendations for a five-year strategic plan would provide additional assistance, he said.

The borough would like to keep the public office hours at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a couple more weeks, which allows staff time before and after to complete tasks and train, Genits said.

Solicitor

Council though is still without a solicitor following the resignation of Bob Yurchak who stepped away as of Oct. 14. He submitted his resignation a month earlier.

Only one firm has expressed an interest, and council discussed inviting that candidate for an interview next week and hiring at the regular council meeting.

Councilwoman Gwyneth Collevechio wasn’t keen on hiring someone immediately after interviewing them Wednesday night.

She also wasn’t sure if council should move forward with a solicitor decision until council has a seventh member, as a judge is set to appoint someone to the vacancy Thursday, the day after council’s monthly meeting.

Council does need a solicitor or an attorney soon, Genits pointed out.

AutoZone, which has plans to build a new store near the Family Dollar on Patterson Street, submitted its fee for a conditional use hearing.

Council has 60 days to conduct the hearing, or the application is deemed approved, Genits said.

“So, if we do nothing by Dec. 18, they automatically get their conditional use zoning permit,” he said.

That hearing needs to be advertised and conducted by the solicitor, Genits said, and notices also must be sent to adjacent residents allowing them to testify if they disagree.

Council members and residents expressed concern if they didn’t move ahead, they might lose the business in town.

Genits didn’t think AutoZone would pull its proposal, as they’re doing everything that’s required. He asked council if they wanted to save the money on advertising and a hearing, and allow the clock run out on a conditional use, and the matter is approved.

“That makes us look like we screwed up,” Councilman Bruce Markovich said.

Costs

Genits pointed out that the hearing is going to cost the borough a lot of money, as it’ll have to pay for the stenographer, the solicitor, the advertisement and ARRO Consulting, the borough zoning officer, to appear to testify.

Markovich said he thought that was all covered, and the applicant had to pay all the associated costs, and Genits said, no, just the $1,000 fee, which they paid.

“I thought we changed that. You have to pay the actual cost,” Markovich said.

Genits explained the resolution from last year set the fee at $1,000 for a conditional use, and that he had copies to show council.

Council then debated letting the 60 days lapse, and Markovich pointed out that neighbors wouldn’t be able to say their piece, if there’s no hearing. Collevechio pointed out that they needed AutoZone to agree in writing to a deemed approval, or that they request an extension under the ordinance.

Genits pointed out that if they hire a solicitor, none of that needs to happen. And Markovich asked if a borough solicitor was needed, when they could hire an attorney for the hearing.

“I’ve asked a couple already,” Genits said. “Nobody seems interested. I did try to coax one law firm, just to do this for us. I’m not going to say the name or the law firm. We’d pay for their services for this purpose, and that’s it.”

Council planned to reach out to see if the lone solicitor candidate was available for an interview next week.