Melvin Gildner was sworn in Monday night during Slatington Borough Council's special meeting.

Gildner repeated the oath given to him by the municipality's mayor, Walter Neidermeyer.Following the ceremony he filled the empty seat former Councilman Bob Steets had occupied. Gildner will serve on the board until Jan. 1, 2018. The temporarily appointed position will be up for election this November.The salary for borough tax collector Reta Stein was listed on the agenda for discussion.According to the board, Stein had requested an increase from 1 percent to 2 percent commission from the borough's real estate tax she collects from residents.At the current rate, Stein receives roughly $8,000 to $8,500 a year."With the information we've collected from around the area we're right on track with everyone else," said Councilman Joe Wechsler."Dollarwise she's ahead of a lot of them," Councilman David Schnaars said.Council President Gwyneth Jones said Stein also receives a modest commission from school district tax collection."She just got caught up on the percentages," Wechsler said.The rate of 1 percent was voted on and passed by the board. The rate will hold for the next four years when Stein may be eligible for an increase.