The open seat on the Munhall Sewer and Sanitary Authority has been filled, but not by the resident who sought it out earlier this year by writing letters to council. It was also not filled by the board member seeking reappointment.

At its June 17 meeting, council voted 3-2 to appoint Joseph Karichko to a five-year term on the board. Councilmen Rob Falce, Dan Lloyd and Richard Votedian voted in favor of Mr. Karichko. Councilmen John Tichon and Joseph Ballas voted in favor of Shawn McCallister, who had sought out the seat.

Council President Bernard Shields and Vice President Jill Fleming-Salopek were absent.

Mr. Karichko was the only resident to apply for the position after Council decided in May to advertise it and formally accept letters of application.

Prior to that Mr. McCallister, who also is the athletic director of the Steel Valley School District, had written letters to members of Munhall Council pointing out that the term of authority board member Mario Pollice had expired and asking to be appointed.

Mr. Pollice also had written letters to council expressing his interest in being reappointed to the board.

A year ago, Mr. McCallister urged Munhall council to disband the sewer authority, claiming it unnecessary and created to provide a job for former Munhall Councilman Michael Terrick, who serves as its manager.

Mr. McCallister could not be reached for comment as to why he was seeking a seat on the board of an authority he earlier wanted to see dissolved.

Mr. Pollice and Mr. Terrick suggested that Mr. McCallister wanted to be on the authority board so that he could exert some control over Mr. Terrick, a political foe.

Mr. Terrick said he was sorry to lose Mr. Pollice from the board but that he looked forward to working with Mr. Karichko.

"He is a very level-headed person, and he listens to all sides of an issue. We can now move forward with the $9 million in projects that we have ahead of us," Mr. Terrick said.