Council members voted 5-2 last night not to retain borough manager John Marquart for the last year of his three-year contract.

Despite words of support from several residents and business owners in the crowded chamber, Marquart was relieved of his position for what council member Richard Grubb termed the manager's "failure to communicate with the borough's policy makers."

Council President Ed Good, who voted to retain Marquart, called his removal a "disgrace."

Assistant borough manager Kristen Denne will act as interim manager until a search committee finds a replacement.