In recent weeks, the Bethlehem Township Board of Commissioner meetings have been anti-climactic. The real show is in the weekly budget hearings. Those are usually held in a small conference room. But they have been moved into the regular meeting hall because of a public outcry over a 37.6 percent tax increase being pondered by commissioners.

On election eve, as campaign signs began to dot the municipal complex, commissioners conducted a brief meeting. Residents like Roy Roth told commissioners it is “time to cut the fat,” but at the same time demanded to know when Brodhead Road would be re-paved. He told Commissioner Tom Nolan to “wash your ears out so you can hear a little better.”

As soon as the meeting was over, he was taking palm cards from Malissa Davis for the election.

It was a bad sign for three incumbent commissioners seeking re-election.

The next day, according to unofficial results, two of the incumbents were rejected by voters. Though Tom Nolan survived a write-in challenge, Marty Zawarski was handily defeated by Davis, 1,867 to 1,421. Phil Barnard lost out to Kim Jenkins by a scant eight votes, 400 to 392.

Zawarski and Barnard are Republican, while Davis and Jenkins are Democrats.

Davis flew under the “Save Green Pond” banner. A regular at commissioner meetings, she has been a vocal opponent of the Traditions of America senior housing development planned at Green Pond. She has also been an advocate for more open government.

The official tally is under way and should be completed this week. If it holds, Bethlehem Township will have a Democratic majority. Jenkins, Davis and incumbent Commissioner Michael Hudak, who was not up for election this cycle, are all Democrats. According to Hudak’s Facebook page, this is the first time that Bethlehem Township has had a majority Democratic board. It is also the first time that a woman has been elected to its board.