Walnutport has filled a vacancy on borough council caused by the death of a veteran council member.

Before it did so, borough council on Thursday voted to declare the seat vacant due to the passing of longtime Councilman William Turk.

Turk passed away last month at the age of 91, after more than 30 years as a councilman, the majority of which were as council president.

Earlier in the meeting, council held a moment of silence for Turk.

Councilwoman Jennifer Wentz noted Turk’s long tenure and dedication, and what he meant to the borough.

“This borough’s really lost a big supporter,” Wentz said.

The candidates

Once it declared the seat vacant, council announced there were two candidates interested in the position - Sam Hartman and Gale Treskot, for whom council asked both to share a little about themselves.

Hartman said he’s lived in the borough for five years, and grew up in Friedens.

He said Walnutport is a nice borough, and that with his background in the Army, he believed he would be a good fit for the position.

Treskot said she has been a resident of the borough for 45 years, and felt it was her turn to give back to the community that’s been so good to her.

She said that she previously served as a borough councilwoman, has given of her time to other endeavors, and believes her record stands for itself.

Afterward, Councilwoman Patrice Hunsicker made a motion to appoint Treskot to the seat. Councilman Michael Gaston then made a motion to appoint Hartman.

On a 4-2 vote, council appointed Hartman to the post, with Gaston, Wentz, and councilmen David Stankovic and Harold Greene in favor. Hunsicker and Councilwoman Iris Blum voted in favor of Treskot.

Following his appointment, Hartman was sworn in by Mayor Wayne Weidner, and took his seat on council.

After the meeting, Hartman said he believes Walnutport “is a well-kept borough.”

Hartman added that council members are “polite and professional.”

Asked why he applied for the post, Hartman said “I believe in civic duty.”

New council president

Since Turk served as president of council, a vote had to be taken to name a successor.

Stankovic nominated Wentz, who declined.

“I don’t have (the) time,” Wentz said. “I do appreciate that (the nomination).”

Blum then nominated Gaston as president, which was approved.

After the meeting, Gaston said he would do his best to live up to Turk’s expectations.

“I am going to try to do what this guy (Turk) did,” Gaston said. “I have big shoes to fill.”

Gaston, a council member for more than 20 years, said he originally joined council in large part to Turk.

“I’m just going to try to move on the pace that he did,” he said. “I plan to pick up (where Turk left off).”