New Member Appointed to Borough Planning Commission

A borough resident who is a project engineer is the newest member of the Hellertown Planning Commission, following a unanimous decision to accept the resignation of commissioner Ronald Shegda at Hellertown Borough Council's April 18 meeting.

Jennifer Yanek was appointed by council to complete Shegda's unexpired term, which ends on Dec. 31, 2012.

Yanek, who said she has been a Hellertown resident for three years and owns a home in town, is employed by Gilmore & Associates, Inc., an engineering and consulting services firm in New Britain, Pa.

"I'm interested in becoming a member of the planning commission because I would like to see Hellertown continue to be a great place to live," she told council.

Zoning and Codes Enforcement Officer Joe Chernaskey said that Yanek has attended several planning commission meetings in the recent past.

Mayor Richard Fluck asked whether the open seat should have been advertised, but council member Gail Nolf responded to him by saying that council shouldn't risk losing a well-qualified candidate by delaying the appointment.

"I think we have a highly qualified candidate and I would hate to see us lose her," Nolf said.

Councilman Richard Staffieri said that since the appointment was for an unexpired term, it was at council's discretion to advertise the vacancy.

A motion to appoint Yanek to the commission was approved unanimously.