An empty seat has been filled on Bowmanstown Borough Council, while another opening exists following the departure of a councilwoman.

On a 3-2 vote, council on Tuesday appointed Donna Winter to the seat that had been open since last month. Councilman Darren Thomas, Councilwoman Pam Leiby and council President William Ravert voted in favor.

That came after Councilman Rob Moyer nominated to appoint Kristy Spairana to the post, which only drew support from Councilwoman Kara Scott.

A third candidate, Wendy Borger, also applied to fill the vacant seat.

Winter was interviewed by council Tuesday via the same process as Spairana and Borger were before the start of last week’s budget workshop.

After the meeting, Winter told a reporter she was “excited” to have been chosen to fill the opening.

“It’s something I’ve never done before,” Winter said. “I’ve always been interested in government.”

Winter replaces former Councilwoman Candace Rodrigues, who resigned last month because she is moving out of state.

Rodrigues was appointed to the seat in February, and replaced her father, Joseph Rodrigues, who had to step down due to his work schedule.

Winter will serve until November. At that point, she will then have the opportunity to seek re-election for a two-year seat.

Another resignation

After Winter was appointed, Ravert announced that council received a letter of resignation from Councilwoman Barbara Eastland.

In her letter, Eastland cited a lack of transparency on behalf of council, along with real health concerns, as the reasons for her resignation.

The question of mask-wearing came up at a council meeting in September in which some members of council declined the request of a colleague to put on their masks.

The borough will accept letters of interest from candidates to fill the seat until Nov. 27.

Ravert said council plans to appoint a new council member when it meets at 7 p.m. Dec. 1, and that all candidates who apply should plan to attend.

He also noted that the letters of intent submitted by both Spairana and Borger will also be kept on file, as they too, remain eligible candidates.

Whoever is chosen to fill Eastland’s seat will serve until November.

At that point, they will have the opportunity to run for a four-year seat.

Eastland served just shy of three years on council.