Alan Boburczak, left, is sworn in as a member of Mars Borough Council by Mayor Gregg Hartung on Monday night, May 1. Hannah Wilkins/Special to the Eagle

MARS — During its Monday, May 1 meeting, borough council approved establishing an anti-nepotism policy for elected and appointed officials and employees.

The resolution would prevent a sitting member of council from appointing, employing, promoting or advocating for the appointment, employment, promotion and advancement of someone who is a relative of a borough official into a position within the borough’s government.

The resolution would apply to those who are elected or appointed.

The legislation defines a relative as a parent, child, sibling, spouse, grandchild, grandparent, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, first cousin, stepparent, stepchild, stepgrandparent, stepsibling, half-sibling and in-law.

The motion passed 5-2, with opposition from Bill Lambert and John McWilliams.

“We are just trying to get a general guideline, so it never becomes an issue,” council president Mike Fleming said. “We are a small community; a lot of people are related within the community. It can be a sensitive subject.”

Also Monday, Alan Boburczak was sworn in as a new member of borough council, filling the seat left vacant by Julie Schultheis earlier this year.

Boburczak expressed his interest in filling the seat at council’s April 17 meeting.

He will handle all parks, recreation and celebration matters.

“I’m interested in being involved in the community, understanding how it works and seeing where I fit in and what I can help with,” Boburczak said.

The Mars New Year Festival will take place June 9 and 10.

The Air Force will attend with a flight simulator and military obstacle course, among other activities.

The event has taken place since 2015 and is an educational celebration of the planet Mars and space exploration. The event provides space-related programming, STEAM education, exhibits and experiences for all ages.

Brew Fest will be from 5 to 8 p.m. June 17 on Pittsburgh Street in the borough. The event features local craft breweries, food trucks and live entertainment.

Tickets are available for $30 online, or $33 at the event. Tickets include a commemorative sampling glass.