(4/10) The Carroll Valley Borough Council voted at their April 9 meeting to appoint a former councilman to a seat vacated by the March resignation of William Reinke.

Appointed was Frank Burhman in a vote of 5-1, one council member, Dan Patton, being absent. Councilman Neil Abrams voted against the appointment. Resident John Hawk also put his hat in the ring for the vacant council seat, but failed to achieve being nominated as a candidate.

Abrams did not publicly state his reason for voting against Burhman's appointment, but, prior to the vote, did question the process, specifically the requirement to vote in public rather than behind closed doors. It (a public vote) isn't fair to the council and it's not fair to the candidate," he stated.

Borough Manager David Hazlett assured Abrams state law required a public vote on such appointments.

Burhman was initially appointed to council in 2007 to finish the term of the then-resigned Ted Talbertto through 2011, but chose not to run for election to the seat in 2011. Janis Ashman was subsequently elected in 2011 to fill the vacancy created when Burhman decided not to run.

Burhman served on the borough Planning Commission beginning in 1987, then stepped aside when he accepted the council appointment.

Regarding his April 9 council appointment, Burhman stated, "I hope to represent (the residents) in a balanced way," even inviting Hawk to "ask me a lot of questions" on issues during any upcoming meetings.

The borough Council accepted "with regret" the resignation of fellow member William Reinke at their March 12 meeting.

Reike has served as a borough councilman since 2007, as well as an active member of the borough Finance Committee.

Reinke explained to the council that "a lot has changed in my personal circumstances since 2007."

"My children have grown in both number and size," he said. "My job situation, which could be optimistically described as under employed in 2007 has swung to the the side of the spectrum. And my volunteer position as a marriage mentor has grown into a full-blown calling...I sometimes find these things getting pushed to the edge of my overflowing plate."

"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve with everyone in this room," the resigned councilman stated. "Finally, I would like to thank the residents of Carroll Valley for placing their confidence in me and letting me represent them these last six years."