East Allen Township Supervisor Christopher Colitas submitted his resignation from the board, effective Feb. 14. According to township Manager Deborah Seiple, Colitas has moved out of the township and is no longer eligible to serve.

Supervisors reluctantly accepted the long-serving board member’s resignation.

“We are sorry to see him go. He has served the township well, and we will miss his many contributions to this township,” Chairman Roger Unangst said.

The resignation puts the board in a dilemma of finding a replacement to fill out Colitas’ remaining term, which ends in December.

According to Solicitor Joseph Piperato, the board has 30 days from the time of the resignation to fill the slot. The next scheduled meeting of the board is March 8. Unangst would prefer to introduce the new supervisor at the March 8 meeting.

Applicants must be a resident of the township for at least a year.

Unangst would like to see resumes from candidates submitted to the township by March 3, with interviews conducted by March 6.

“It is short notice, but I think it can be done,” he said.

An alternative to extend the time for applicants and call a special meeting March 14 was waived.

“We don’t know if anyone will even submit an application,” Supervisor March Schwartz said.

Unangst reserved the right to extend the deadline if needed.

Seiple will advertise the position and prepare a job description.

“That is a requirement to fill the post,” she said.

In the event there is a delay past the next meeting, the supervisors will continue to hold meetings as required.

“If there is a tie vote, we would ask the vacancy board to break a tie,” Unangst said.

Jeanette Frack is the sole vacancy board member. She regularly attends meetings and can add continuity to the board’s deliberations.

The township announced two staff moves. Christina Moran was hired to fill a vacancy on the office staff. Moran is a township resident and has experience as an office manager and bookkeeper.

John Chavanic was hired as a crewman for the public works department. He demonstrated his equipment-handling skills to the department staff. Chavanic carries a Class B CDL, and he is up-to-date on all his documentation.

Both employees are scheduled to start this month.