The Chapel Hill Town Council recently established the process for filling the vacancy resulting from Rich’s election to the Orange County Board of Commissioners.

The Town Charter provides that this vacancy be filled by appointment for the remainder of Rich's term of office, until December 2013. Residents of Chapel Hill who are registered voters and otherwise qualified to hold office are invited to apply to fill the vacant seat.

There is no official form for applications. Applications must include the name, residence address, and signature of the applicant. The original application with an original signature must be submitted and received by the Town Clerk by 5 p.m. Monday. The Town Clerk's Office is located in the Communications and Public Affairs Department on the second floor of Town Hall, 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Applicants may include information in support of the application if they wish and are encouraged to provide a written statement (500 words or less) outlining their view of issues facing the Town of Chapel Hill and interest in serving on the Town Council.

Applicants will have an opportunity to make brief remarks regarding their interest in serving on the Town Council at the special meeting of the Town Council at 6 p.m. Jan. 14, in the Council Chamber at Town Hall. The

The council will then consider making an appointment to fill the vacancy at a special meeting/public hearing on Jan. 23.