Springdale Council to fill vacant seat after November election

Springdale Council is looking for applicants to fill a vacant council seat, but the person filling it will only serve through December.

Council voted, 6-0, Tuesday to hold off appointing a person to the vacant seat until their Nov. 16 meeting. The seat became vacant when Harry Helwig stepped down effective Sept. 28. Solicitor Craig Alexander said Helwig resigned because he is moving to Cranberry.

Council originally planned to fill Helwig’s seat Tuesday night.

Council President Mitch Karaica said council received three letters of interest, but he wanted to wait until next meeting because the seat expires at the end of the year. The council has 30 days to fill the vacancy. Karaica did not explain why the appointment was delayed.

The three applicants for the temporary appointment were Bruno Moretti, Lindsay K. Houston and Toni Robbins. Robbins will be on the Nov. 2 ballot for a four-year term on council.

The person appointed to the seat will serve only until Dec. 31. That’s because Helwig’s seat is up for election in November. Helwig was elected in 2017, and his term was about to end.

Council has experienced a couple of shifts in leadership this year.

Former Springdale Council President James Zurisko resigned in July because he was moving to Buffalo Township. Karaica was elected president after Council Vice President Eileen Miller declined to take over. Brittni Bair filled the vacant seat, becoming one of the area’s youngest officeholders.

Karaica was appointed in May to replace Councilman David Spirk, who resigned that month. Karaica is running for election to his two-year seat.

Bair’s seat also expires Dec. 31. She is on the Nov. 2 ballot seeking either a four-year or two-year term.

Springdale will post about the vacancy on its website.

For more information on how to apply, visit springdaleborough.com or call 724-274-6800.