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BELLEFONTE -- Bellefonte Borough Council will be searching for another new member following the resignation of Shawna McKean this week.
Council accepted McKean's resignation at its regular meeting Monday night, with many expressing regret at the action.
McKean, who represents the West Ward, was elected in 2021. She is the second resignation on council following Randy Brachbill, who served the South Ward, and resigned earlier this year.
McKean's resignation is effective Aug. 31, though she noted she wouldn't be able to attend council's Aug. 3 meeting due to a scheduling conflict, making July 27 her final meeting.
Brachbill's resignation is effective July 31.
Members of council thanked McKean for her time on the board.
"You've had four years-plus on this council and you've been a valuable asset to it. I really do hate to see you leave, but I understand," Council President Doug Johnson said.
McKean did not offer an explanation for her resignation.
Council member Joanne Tosti-Vasey offered McKean a round of applause for her work over the years.
"Thank you," McKean said. "I did have a lot of fun in the first term. I learned a lot and it was enlightening, but also very enjoyable."
With these resignations in the books, council will be searching for a representative for its West and South wards.
Council has 30 days after each resignation to select a replacement, who will serve until the next municipal election.
Borough Manager David Pribulka noted McKean's seat will not be up for re-election until Dec. 31, 2029.
"The appointed replacement would fill the vacancy 'until the first Monday in January after the first municipal election occurring more than 60 days after the vacancy occurs, at which election an eligible individual shall be elected to the office for the remainder of the term,'" he said, according to state law.
If council is unable to select a replacement, a vacancy board comprised of remaining council members and a board chair -- an appointed elector from within the borough -- would have 15 days to make an appointment.
"Typically, the Vacancy Board Chair is effectively the tie-breaking vote since a deadlock from council would be a 4-4 vote. In other cases of ties, the Mayor would cast the tiebreaking vote, but this is an exception under the Borough Code," Pribulka explained.
Interested borough residents within Brachbill or McKean's wards may submit an application and resume to the borough office, 301 N. Spring St., Suite 200, Bellefonte, or via email to Assistant to the Borough Manager Alyssa Doherty at adoherty@belleefontepa.gov.
Deadlines for Brachbill's seat is July 30 and the deadline for McKean's seat will be accepted from Aug. 1 to Sept. 3.