Richard Mertz, 34, of Palmerton R. 1, is the new Towamensing Township secretary-treasurer.

He was appointed last night by the board of supervisors with a $10,000 salary, prorated monthly, to the post held 14 years until July 31 by Carolyn Andrews.

Mertz is a fulltime elementary school teacher in the Northampton Area School District.

Andrews, 42, resigned last month to pursue a career in real estate.

The supervisors changed the method of compensation for the secretary. Andrews had received a small percentage of all township expenses while Mertz will receive a salary.