Alburtis Borough Council appointed Kathleen Palmer as mayor at their regular meeting Nov. 14 to fill the vacancy left when former Mayor Robert Mader passed away Oct. 22.

Unprecedented in the history of Alburtis, Palmer is their first female mayor.

"I want to say thank you to everybody and I'll do my best for the borough," Palmer said following her appointment.

Volunteering to fill the position ending in 2013 were Palmer and Scott Stoneback of Media People in Alburtis and current chairman of the Alburtis Centennial Committee.

Chairman John Aleszczyk asked why they wanted to be mayor, what could they add to the position what their professional background was. Both Palmer and Stoneback were asked about their ability to deal with everybody.

With many years of service in the borough, Stoneback said he wanted to fill the position to get the borough through the upcoming centennial in 2013 and because of his previous borough experience, understood the demands of the position but would not run in the 2013 election.

Palmer has eight years of service on council and years of experience as a paralegal working for the Lehigh County Public Defender's office. Palmer said she was seeking a long-term appointment and would run for re-election.

Stoneback received one vote from nominee Margaret McCormack. Nominated by Cathy Moyer, Palmer received votes from Councilpersons Kathleen Raines, John Aleszczyk and Moyer. McCormack changed her vote to Palmer at the suggestion of Solicitor David Knerr saying it would be better to have a unanimous vote for the amendment to Resolution 2012-5 needed for the borough records.

Palmer was immediately sworn in by Alyce Diehl of Diehl Insurance Agency, Trexlertown, and immediately Council President Steve Hill, sitting in as temporary mayor, relieved Aleszczyk as chairman of the meeting. Council approved the resignations of Kathleen Palmer and Kyle Bower leaving two additional seats on council to be filled in the 2013 election.

Council interviewed the five citizens who volunteered to fill the positions until the 2013 election: Nancy Scarlata, Thomas Miller, Ron DeIaco, David Lehr and Sherry Ann Oels. They all met the qualifications for service and expressed strong sentiment for Alburtis and a desire to serve and give back to the community.

Thanking all volunteers, Hill said council would consider all candidates and would advise who was chosen at the next meeting scheduled for Nov. 28. Hill also said besides the positions on council, there were positions open on the planning commission, recreation board, environmental advisory council and civil service. These committees meet as necessary, sometimes only once or twice a year and Hill hopes the volunteers would consider a position on a committee even if they were not chosen to serve on council.

In other business, council approved a request of donating $700 to the Lehigh County Humane Society. Tonya Miller, of Alburtis, asked council if anybody else had been considered, like Peaceable Kingdom, because the Lehigh County Humane Society is a high kill shelter and the only kill shelter in the county.

Police Chief Robert Palmer told Miller they only had one dog picked up last year. When a stray is dropped off he keeps it at the police station for a few days and 99 percent of the time someone claims it.

At the suggestion of Knerr, council authorized him to take the necessary steps to legally declare the garage at 128 W. Second St. a nuisance through the courts and begin to get three quotes to make repairs.

Lower Macungie Library Board member Therese Schweyer and Library Director Kathee Rhode presented the library's financial highlights, their 2013 budget and the 2013 plan for the use of Borough of Alburtis Municipal Funds. They also requested a $5 per capita minimum from Alburtis Borough for 2013. Rhode wanted everyone to know they have electronic books, e-books and e-audio books available and would be happy to show anyone how to borrow e-books from the library.

The library also has many other programs, crafts, genealogy classes and more. They are always looking for grants and fundraising opportunities. The library is open 57 hours a week and 1,000 people use their computers every day.