Former Hellertown Borough Councilman John Bate has returned.

Bate was unanimously appointed to fill a two-year vacant seat on council at the Jan. 4 meeting. The vacancy arose after rookie Councilman Earl Hill was elected to serve both two-year and four-year terms, and chose the four-year seat.

Bate previously served eight years on council. He did not run for re-election in the last election, citing a divorce he was going through.

In addition to Bate, Matt Milliren, planning commission vice chairman, and Tina Olson-Wilkins applied for the vacant seat.

Also during the Jan. 4 meeting, Councilman Thomas Rieger was re-elected council president by his colleagues.

Councilman Philip Weber was elected council vice president. Weber, who was re-elected in the November general election, previously served as council president.

Council will hold its next meeting 7 p.m. Jan. 19.

According to borough Secretary Cathy Hartranft, council will discuss the use of tractor-trailer brake retarders in the borough.

Hartranft said she will be presenting Pa. Department of Transportation criteria that must be met prior to the borough implementing an ordinance prohibiting brake retarder use within the borough.

Residents have expressed concern about the use of such brakes within borough limits.