NEWTON FALLS — Newton Falls village council interviewed three applicants for the vacant 3rd Ward council seat but plan to see if there are any additional applicants.

Councilmembers Julie Stimpert, Kevin Rufener, and Patricia Benetis, who was sworn-in as the new 1st Ward councilwoman, met in executive session before the start of Wednesday’s meeting to interview Tammy Gillespie Blandine, Bruce Moore and Rick Zamecnik.

Each candidate met with the council individually.

Councilman John Baryak, who is acting mayor, was not at the meeting.

Stimpert, who was selected to oversee the meeting, said the executive session council interviewed “three very positive candidates for ward three. We appreciate that they stepped up.” But, council is keeping its options open as Stimpert said they will make a final decision by year’s end.

“We want to make a good decision for Ward three representation,” she said.

Rufener added they want to make sure that they give everyone a chance to apply.

The 3rd Ward seat became open when Tesa Spletzer was recalled by the voters in the November general election.

Results from the Trumbull County Board of Election showed 80% of the voters of the 3rd Ward voted to have her removed.

Residents last spring provided enough signatures from residents of the 3rd Ward to have village council, as required by its charter, ask the Trumbull County Board of Elections to schedule a recall election for Spletzer.

Officials said based on the charter, when a person is recalled by the voters and the results of the election are certified by the Trumbull County Board of Elections, that person is officially done serving on council.

Resident Rick Kerlin questioned the legality of Wednesday’s meeting with three members present and naming Stimpert to preside over the meeting.

He said such a decision is not part of the village charter and council doesn’t follow Robert’s Rules of Order but a charter government.

Law Director Brad Bryan said there was a quorum of three, which was enough to hold a meeting.

“I see no problem with holding the meeting,” he said.