First woman to join board in township history
By Karen Cresta, Staff Writer, The Times
East Marlborough Supervisors chair Richard Hannum swears in new board member Christine Kimmel.
EAST MARLBOROUGH – Christine Kimmel was sworn in to make her an official – and the first female – supervisor for East Marlborough Township by new president Richard Hannum at the reorganization meeting held on January 4.
The board approved its new chairman and vice-chairman and commission members for 2016. Cuyler Walker’s replacement, Hannum, sitting in the previous chairman’s seat, directed the meeting as Walker sat in the audience. He was unanimously approved in the new position and member John Sarro, who nominated him, was unanimously elected as vice-chairman. Jane Laslo was reappointed as secretary and treasurer, and township manager.
After some debate from member Bob Weer on whether to add an official position of assistant township manager and to appoint Laurie Prysock, who has been serving in the capacity over the last two years, board member Eddie Caudill formally made the nomination in a 4-1 (Weer opposed) vote.
Weer objected to creating the job based on being more transparent to residents, the lack of a job description, and officially advertising the position for applicants. Whispers of Laslo’s possible retirement were brought up at the meeting although no definitive date was ever discussed.
Hannum agreed that a job position and posting were necessary and would be discussed sooner rather than later.
Although Walker did not choose to run for re-election of chairman on the board, he will not be leaving the township’s service. The board unanimously approved Walker’s appointment to the Planning Commission to fill Kimmel’s shoes.
Members of the Historic Commission, Historic and Architectural Review Board, Zoning Hearing Board, and the Building Code Appeals Board were also approved.
For a complete list of township employees and meeting information, visit www.eastmarlborough.org.
