CENTER TWP — The township supervisors looked to a familiar face to fill the vacancy on their board.

The supervisors Tuesday night appointed Ken Frenchak — who was already on the board — to fill the seat left vacant by Andrew Erie, who died earlier this month at age 77.

Frenchak’s term was to expire at the end of the year. He was not seeking re-election.

However, he resigned from his post at the start of the special meeting to make himself eligible to fill Erie’s vacant seat.

The three remaining members of the board appointed him.

Frenchak, who has been a supervisor for 15 years, said he sought the position to prevent two new members from being named to the board in a matter of months.

“With two (new members) on the board, things might not move in the most proactive way,” he said.

By taking over for Erie, he will serve two more years until the public will vote on the seat in the 2017 election. The winner of that election will serve until 2020, when Erie’s term was originally set to expire.

Five other residents expressed interest in Erie’s seat, Stephanie Sellers, Tom Schiebel, Steve Bash, Kris Goas and John Keffalas.

However, each of the board members felt it was safer to move forward with Frenchak, leaving his previous seat as the only spot that will have a new face next year.

“I think it’s a good idea to maintain the continuity on the board as the township goes forward with new development and planning in the near future,” said chairman Ed Latuska.

The township has multiple projects it is undertaking. It is most notably working to get approval for a tax increment financing district along North Duffy Road that they hope would allow for millions of dollars’ worth of development around the new VA Butler Healthcare center.

“He’s familiar with everything going on,” said Alan Smallwood. “I think he’s the most qualified candidate.”

Frenchak’s previous seat will still be decided in the Nov. 3 election.

Ron Flatt, who previously served on the board for three terms, is running on the Republican ticket while Mark Lauer, who previously worked as the township’s public works director, is campaigning as a Democrat.

Both candidates attended the meeting, but neither had an interest in Erie’s two-year seat.

Supervisor Phil Wulff voted for Frenchak but said he hoped he is committed to the two-year term.

“I know (Frenchak) seemed eager to get out for a while,” he said. “I hope he is sincere.”

Solicitor Michael Gallagher said the move by Frenchak to resign then be reappointed to a new seat was legal.

Gallagher said the board is not obligated to name a replacement to fill Frenchak’s seat to close out the year. The board will work with four supervisors until the newly elected member takes office in January.

Bash, Goas and Sellers each spoke briefly at the meeting before the board’s vote.

Bash said he campaigned in the primaries for Frenchak’s seat and still had interest in it.

Goas said he thought a fresh face on the board would be good for the township.

“I think it’s time for a change,” he said. “Someone new to help think about how the township is moving forward.”

Sellers said she felt the board should have replaced Erie with another Democrat.

“I think the board should appoint another Democrat,” she said. “I share a lot of the beliefs Andy had.”