Mahoning Township supervisors opened their meeting with a moment of silence last night in memory of longtime township Tax Collector Joanne Swarcheck who passed away last Friday. She was running unopposed for a fifth term of tax collector this year and only had a few more weeks left in her current term.

Mahoning Township Chairperson Pat Snyder said the township was required to appoint a new tax collector adding, "Joanne's husband Richard has graciously agreed to fulfill the remaining time of her term." Supervisor George Stawnyczyj moved to make the appointment and supervisor John Wieczorek second the motion which passed 4-0.Solicitor Steve Serfass administered the oath of office and Snyder thanked Swarcheck, a longtime accountant, with assuming the mantle of tax collector until the election. Stawnyczyj then moved to transfer the bond from the late Mrs. Swarcheck to her husband and that motion also passed 4-0.