Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners at a special meeting Tuesday selected Joseph J. Marx as commissioner, filling the vacant seat on the seven-member board that arose after Gerard Palagonia resigned his position in April.

Marx, 50, was administered the oath of office by Pat Sweeney, secretary to Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr., during a brief ceremony in the commissioners meeting room. Marx, congratulated by the commissioners and Hozza, then took his seat with the board.

Commissioners President Phillips Armstrong appointed Marx to the park and recreation board and liaison to the township zoning hearing board of adjustment.

Marx will continue as a member of the Coplay-Whitehall Sewer Authority, serving as the authority’s community relations representative.

Armstrong said Marx is well qualified for the commissioners position and he looks forward to Marx’s contribution on the board in serving the community.

Marx was one of three candidates interviewed for the position. He is a Democrat, a requirement per a referendum vote that an appointee be of the same political party as the individual who vacated the seat.

Marx, who served with the U.S. Marine Corps, is active with the committee formulating plans for a veterans monument on the township’s municipal building grounds.

He and his wife, Colleen, have two sons, Joseph III and Kade, and two grandchildren.

He is employed in property management.

See related photo on page A2.