MARS — The borough council on Tuesday will appoint a new mayor to serve out the term of the late Richard “Mayor Dick” Settlemire, who died on Oct. 20 at age 56.

The successful candidate will be chosen at a public meeting at 7 p.m. at the borough building on Spring Street Extension. Council also will discuss the borough 2013 budget.

Mars solicitor Doug Weinrich said that as of Monday’s council meeting, five borough residents had submitted letters of interest to the council. The deadline for submitting a letter was today.

Weinrich was hesitant to give the names of the candidates before the deadline because more letters may arrive by today.

“They’re all excellent candidates,” Weinrich said of the applicants.

Weinrich said during the meeting that council president Mike Fleming will recommend a candidate from the pool, and council will vote to approve or reject that candidate based mainly on that person’s letter. If the candidate is rejected, council members can recommend another candidate for a vote.

The new mayor will serve out the remainder of Settlemire’s term, which expires at the end of 2013.

Weinrich said the new mayor will be sworn in by a district judge soon after Tuesday’s meeting and take office immediately. He will receive a stipend for the position.

Settlemire took office in 2002 and began his third term in 2010.