Lansford Borough Council hired two full-time secretaries, but the borough office could remain closed for another week or two.

Council hired Melissa Hoover of Lansford and Maria Ahner of Lehighton as general secretaries, pending bonding, but did not yet designate titles of borough secretary or treasurer.

Council President Bruce Markovich said the borough spent about $4,000 in advertising in three newspapers as well as on Monster, and had seven people apply with five showing up for interviews.

“At this point, we got two really good, top-notch candidates. They’re not entry level,” he said. “They have experience in HR. They have experience in bookkeeping. They have experience in QuickBooks.

“I think we did really well here with these two candidates that we have here tonight,” Markovich said.

Council Vice President Jay Doyle pointed out that one of the candidates was bilingual.

“She speaks Spanish fluently,” Markovich added.

Other council members said they were impressed not only with the top two candidates, but with all of those who applied for the job.

Residents questioned who would be the borough secretary, and who would the treasurer, saying that a treasurer is needed.

The borough has been operating with former secretary Shantel Lauer, who left for another position in December, coming in on an as-needed basis, and Lacey Gonzalez of LGH Tax and Accounting, handling day-to-day financials.

Residents have been paying bills either by mail or by using the drop box in front of the office.

Markovich said that they will see which of the two hires will be more adept at which job - either treasurer or secretary.

“Then, we will appoint them in those positions,” he said.

Markovich also said that they can’t give either titles until they’re bonded, and it could take at least two weeks for that process, maybe longer.

Councilman Jack Soberick said both hires had extensive human resources and bookkeeping experience, as well as being versed in QuickBooks.

“They’re very, very qualified in both areas,” Soberick said. “I think they can both do either job equally. One is extensively experienced in human resources. So, I think they’re going to fall into their slots kind of naturally.”

Council hired both Hoover and Ahner at $23 an hour during the brief special meeting Tuesday, and they are being offered the borough’s standard benefit plan, Markovich said.

The vote on hiring Hoover was not unanimous with Councilman Joseph Butrie opposed. Butrie’s wife, Wendy, served as the previous borough secretary/treasurer and was not reappointed last month. He did vote in favor of hiring Ahner.

Their start dates and the borough office reopening depends on how long it takes for the women to be bonded, which could take two to three weeks, he said.

“Hopefully, they’ll stay here,” Markovich said.