Chapel Hill -- The process to replace former councilman Bill Strom who resigned in July is scheduled to begin Friday at a special meeting called by Mayor Kevin Foy to discuss a pressing land acquisition deal.
Although the meeting was called specifically to discuss a real estate deal, including a 70,000-square-foot building on Weaver Diary Road that is owned by Red Wing Land, LLC., the town code requires council vacancies to be formally announced at the next regular or special meeting after they occur.
Foy also has recommended that a deadline of Oct. 2 be set for applications for the vacancy to be submitted to the council.
Here is the rest of the schedule Foy is recommending for filling the vacancy:
- Oct. 12: Council Business Meeting to review applications and make nominations.
- Nov. 9: Applicants will have an opportunity to make brief remarks regarding their interests in serving on the Town Council. The council may make an appointment that evening.
Strom's resignation sparked a major controversy because of its timing. He was roundly criticized in some quarters for resigning after the candidate filing period, which prevented voters from filling the vacancy in the November election.
