Coaldale Borough Council has appointed a replacement for Thomas Keerans Sr., who died last month.

Council voted unanimously to select Chad Gerber to fill Keerans’ seat until after the November general election. He was the only candidate who submitted a letter of interest for the vacancy before Monday’s deadline.

Gerber is already seeking the Democratic nomination for a seat on council. He said he will bring a positive attitude and willingness to help in any way to council.

Gerber said the current council has made a lot of positive changes, and he hopes to help continue that.

“I think the town is going in a very positive direction, and I want to help keep that momentum going. I’m really impressed with the current council. I like what they are doing,” he said.

Councilwoman Claire Remington said Gerber is a good fit for the position.

“He’s done a lot of volunteer work and he’s proven himself to me this last year especially with CHOSE (the nonprofit organization Church, Home, Organization, School, Environment) and the fire company.”

In other business

Borough Council acted on the following:

• Hired Ryan Oldt as a full-time police officer. Oldt has worked as a part-time officer since 2017 and replaces Charles Blesse, who resigned to become a state trooper. Anthony Houser resigned as a part-time officer.

• Formed an account specifically for maintenance of the Coaldale Veterans and Womens Memorial. Councilwomen Anne Girard and Claire Remington each pledged $50 to the account.

• Hired Frank Rodriguez as a road crew worker on an as-needed basis.

• Resident Wayne Fignar said participation in the recent large garbage item pickup was low and wanted to know if more could be done to promote it. Council President Angela Krapf told him the borough’s trash hauler advertised the event.

• Council officially ended the probationary period for Officer James Bonner effective March 1.