A surprise resignation at Monday night's Oakmont Council meeting resulted in the current borough solicitor staying on board.

Council President Michael Federici read a letter from Paula Calabrese, stating she was resigning as vice president and councilwoman, effective July 14. Ms. Calabrese had served on council for 18?months and gave no reason for her resignation.

Council has 30 days to fill the vacancy. The appointee will serve until the first Monday in January.

Because the resignation was submitted more than 60 days before the November election, the vacancy will be placed on the November ballot.

Each political party will have until Sept. 14 to present an additional candidate for that vacancy. A third-party candidate also can petition to be placed on the ballot.

The person elected in November will serve out the remaining two?years of Ms. Calabrese's term.

Mr. Federici said he was caught off guard by Ms. Calabrese's resignation, but added that he appreciated everything she had done in the time she had served.

Councilwoman Nancy Ride echoed that sentiment, saying she was glad to serve with her and glad she took on the responsibility, adding that Ms. Calabrese brought a lot of knowledge to the position.

Those who wish to apply for the interim council position should send an expression of interest in writing to interim borough Manager Daniel Mator no later than July 31.

Council will give each person a two- to three-minute opportunity to address members at the Aug. 3 workshop meeting. Council will vote on the vacancy at the Aug. 10 meeting, as well as entertain nominations for vice president.

Later in the meeting, Councilman Tim Favo put forth a motion to withdraw efforts to advertise for a new borough solicitor because council was already filling a couple of positions. Mr. Favo was opposed to so much change at one time.

A motion to advertise had passed last week in a 4-4 vote, with Mayor Robert Fescemyer breaking the tie. Robert H. Shoop, of Thorp Reed and Armstrong, is the borough's solicitor.

A question arose over whether Mr. Favo could introduce a motion not on the agenda because Monday's meeting was a continuation of last week's meeting, and only certain items had been carried over to this week. Mr. Mator said the Calabrese item had been added only because it was time-sensitive.

Mr. Favo responded that Ms. Calabrese had offered the original motion to advertise then resigned, so council should reconsider it and see how the vote came out.

Mr. Shoop questioned Mr. Mator's contention that Mr. Favo could not add an item to the agenda, and Mr. Mator explained that it would then become a new meeting.

Mr. Federici said he would recognize the motion.

Commenting on the motion, Ms. Ride agreed that council had a lot of things in transition and that Mr. Shoop had a history with the borough.

The final vote was 4-2, with Cheryl Zentgraf, Ms. Ride, Allan Kennedy and Mr. Favo voting to withdraw the advertisement, and Dru Taliaferro and Mr. Federici opposing.