Hamburg councilman resigns

HAMBURG — Borough Councilman Chris Kelly resigned his position Wednesday morning, citing "unforseen circumstances."

The resignation will be effective April 1.

The three-term council member wrote in a letter to Mayor Paul Marino that it is with “great regret” he must resign his seat, as he and his family will be move to Wantage Township in the “very near future.”

Kelly won his third council term in this past November’s election following a one-year hiatus from the governing body for an attempted county freeholder bid.

“As I reflect on my three-plus terms on the Council,” he wrote to Marino, “I want to thank you for your dedication, professionalism and friendship over these many years.”

Kelly also said he feels confident he is leaving the borough in the “capable hands” of Marino and the rest of the council.

As Kelly was elected as a Republican, the Republican Committee will have 15 days from the time of the April 1 vacancy to present the council with three nominees from their party, according to Borough Clerk Doreen Schott. The council will then have at least an additional 15 days — until May 1 — to appoint one of the three nominees.

If the council fails to appoint a replacement before May 1, state statute allows Kelly’s replacement will be chosen from the three nominees by the Republican Committee.