The Old Lycoming Township Supervisors appointed John Eck to fill the seat vacated by Dave Shirn earlier this month during a special meeting Wednesday morning.

“I want to thank the taxpayers of Old Lycoming Township,” a letter penned by Shirn and read aloud by Supervisor Justin Kastner at the Nov. 14 meeting said.

“For six-plus years I have served as township supervisor and 47 years in the township fire department,” the letter stated.

“It is with much disrespect from others that has led me to this decision along with now two threats from previous employees,” Shirn, who was not in attendance, wrote.

Eck, who previously served as a supervisor from 2002 to 2017, was sworn in by District Judge William Solomon.

The decision to return Eck to the board was a Supervisor decision, as they are not required to take public applications for the position, newly appointed chair Justin Kastner explained.

“The reason we chose John to work with is John’s experience in the past management of the township. He’d been a supervisor here for almost 16 years, so we’re pulling from his experience to help us navigate the waters for 2025 until the election happens where four supervisors will be elected,” he said.

Board Supervisor Richard Metz will now assume the role of vice-chair after a vote from the Supervisors.

In other matters, it was announced that the 2025 budget is now available for public review for the next 20 days during regular business hours, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.