EBENSBURG — A new borough manager was hired during Monday’s council meeting, which also saw the resignation of a borough council member.

The council hired Terry Carcella for the borough manager position after an “exhaustive search,” according to the meeting’s agenda.

Carcella will begin his new job today at an annual salary of $100,000 with benefits consistent with the position, said Danea Koss, Ebensburg’s community development director.

Outgoing Borough Manager Kelly Cook has agreed to stay on beyond her initially planned retirement date of Monday, April 6, to ensure a smooth transition, officials noted in February’s meeting minutes.

Cook was unavailable for comments Tuesday, Koss said.

During Monday’s meeting, the council also approved Christopher Bopp as the borough’s assistant police chief at a rate of $33.15 per hour and council member Cecilia Houser’s resignation, which was effective Tuesday.

According to the meeting’s agenda, Houser has accepted new employment and resigned from council in order to avoid future conflicts of interest.

Koss said borough officials have 30 days to fill the vacancy and are now accepting letters of interest from residents to fill the seat through the end of Houser’s term, which expires December 2028.

The statement of interest form can be found on the borough’s website, www.ebensburgpa.com, by clicking boards and commissions under the government tab, Koss said.

The only requirement is that interested applicants must reside within the borough, Koss said. The form requests people to list their qualifications and reasons for seeking appointment.

Forms should be returned to the borough manager at the Ebensburg Borough office building, 300 W. High St.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.