A relative newcomer to Tamaqua will be helping to shape the borough’s future after being appointed to fill a vacant council seat last night.

Stephen J. Bayer, 34, of Owl Creek Road, moved to Tamaqua just two years ago from his Lehighton roots and has wasted no time in becoming familiar with his new home.

Bayer was one of more than a dozen Tamaqua residents appointed to the newly formed Owl Creek Reservoir Commission in January of this year. In February, he was elected to serve as president of the commission, In March, council appointed him to fill a vacancy on the planning commission. And last night, he was named to replace William A. Savage as a councilman. The latter resigned due to personal reasons.