Pat Breslin was sworn in as commissioner during the Jan. 6 reorganization meeting of Bethlehem Township Commissioners. Breslin defeated fellow Republican Paul Weiss, an incumbent, during the spring primary. Weiss went on to wage a write-in campaign in November, but was 18 votes shy.

A motivational speaker, Breslin had no remarks after taking the oath administered by Magisterial District Judge Joseph Barner.

Incumbent Commissioner Michael Hudak, who defeated Mickey Thompson in November, was also sworn into office by Barner.

Thomas J. Nolan, who has been a part of Bethlehem Township government for more than 30 years, was elected president of the Board of Commissioners in a 3-2 vote. Nolan voted for himself, and was joined by Michael Hudak and Phil Barnard.

Marty Zawarski, who lost the presidency to Nolan, was elected vice president in another 3-2 vote over Hudak. Zawarski voted for himself, and was joined by Barnard and Breslin.

Commissioners also unanimously agreed to appoint Melissa Shafer as their new township manager, effective March 10. Shafer succeeds Howard Kutzler, who resigned late last year to become South Whitehall Township's director of administration.

Shafer, who has a master's degree in public administration, is currently Chalfont's borough manager. In 2009, Shafer had urged that borough to stop taping its meetings to avoid making tapes available under the state's Right-to-Know law, according to a Morning Call account. A review of recent minutes reveals that the meetings are still being taped.