Louis N. Stellato was officially sworn in as a member of the Bethlehem City Council Nov. 18 inside the iconic rotunda.

Stellato, 72, is a Democrat and retired businessman who was selected from a pool of 14 applicants.

He fills the seat vacated by former council member Karen Dolan, who resigned Nov. 1 after a grand jury found she used her council position to influence city officials in their treatment of her nonprofit organization, the Gertrude B. Fox Environmental Center.

The newly appointed council member spoke of his pride at joining Bethlehem City Council in an interview with the Bethlehem Press following the meeting.

"It was a good feeling to be sworn in," Stellato said. "I knew that I was accepted. My wife and family were there to support me and I felt good. This is part of a second career for me."

Stellato is looking forward to being a voice for the senior citizens of the city of Bethlehem. "I'm here to support the seniors," he said. "I can be someone they can directly contact with their concerns. It is important for me to give the senior citizens of Bethlehem a voice in their government."In other business, council approved 6 to 1 the hiring of a new business retention and attraction officer to work in the Community and Economic Development office. Council needed to approve the hire of a new city employee because council had previously enacted a hiring freeze until the end of this year.Also at the Nov. 18 council meeting, the transfer of a liquor license was approved from the Brick House Tavern at 1428 Butler St. in Easton to the soon to be opened Publik House restaurant at 124 W. Fourth St. in Bethlehem. Publik House will be an Irish themed family restaurant, owned and operated by Jose and Rafaela Nunez, owners of La Lupita Mexican Restaurant at 4 West Fourth St.