After a brief discussion weighing the cost and long timelines of holding a by-election, Huron Shores Municipal Council decided to appoint a sitting councillor to the mayor's seat.
This will leave two vacant council seats to be filled by interested public members qualified to hold the office.
The mayor will be chosen by council at its next meeting on Jan. 29. Councillors interested in moving to the mayor's seat will express their interest at that meeting. If more than one councillor is interested in the chair, council will vote to choose the candidate.
So far, only Ward 3 and 4 (Village of Iron Bridge, Gladstone, former Township of Thompson) councillor Jane Armstrong has expressed interest in stepping into the mayor's seat.
The mayor chosen on the 29th will be sworn in at council's next meeting which takes place Feb. 4.
Council decided to appoint the mayor from sitting members of council, "to ensure continuity and effective governments," said the resolution.
As reported by ElliotLakeToday, Mayor Matthew Seabrook tendered his resignation on Jan. 8 because he could, "no longer continue in the role with such strong disagreement to the majority vote of council," he wrote in his letter of resignation.
Then, on Jan. 13, Ward 1 councillor Roger Mulligan tendered his resignation, citing health reasons as his primary motivator.
Also at the meeting of January 29, council will pass a motion to ask for expressions of interest from people wanting to fill the two vacant seats.
This will include a template of questions about applicants' qualifications, eligibility and interest in council. It will be posted on the municipal website, sent to media and available for pickup at the municipal office on Bridge Street in Iron Bridge.
They will have until February 27 to submit their expression of interest and will be invited to present their case to council at its meeting on March 5. Members of council will go into a closed session to deliberate after presentations are heard.
The chosen candidates will be sworn in at the next regular meeting of council.