Shepherdstown resident Marty Amerikaner speaks, after being named Town Recorder during March’s Town Council meeting in Town Hall. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — After the Corporation of Shepherdstown’s Town Recorder stepped down from his position on Jan. 30, the selection of his replacement became a matter of immediate importance to the Town Council and Mayor James Gatz.

The replacement was required by the town Charter of 1867, which states that a Town Recorder is needed, to vote as a member of the Town Council, fill in for the mayor in his absence and take notes of meetings. And, as a quorum of four persons is required to conduct town business, a full Town Council is highly desirable, so that members can feel free to take vacation and sick days.

Over the past few weeks, potential replacements were considered by the Town Council. Then, during the monthly Town Council meeting in Town Hall on March 12, Town Council member Shannon Thomas nominated fellow Town Council member Marty Amerikaner for the position.

“I would like to make a motion to nominate Marty Amerikaner for the position,” Thomas said.

Cheryl Roberts — the only Town Council member with more seniority than Amerikaner — seconded the motion. Her support of the nomination was followed soon after by the unanimous approval of the rest of the Town Council.

According to Amerikaner, he had been surprised to hear that he was one of the individuals being considered for the position.

“The first time I heard somebody suggest it, I told James (Gatz) what I thought. I’m not going to say it out loud here, because it’s not [appropriate] for public consumption, but it was some version of, ‘Why in the world would I want to do that?'” Amerikaner said. “But after learning more about it, I gave it some consideration. I then realized the importance of having someone in this position.”

Gatz voice his support for the appointment.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea! Marty and I have talked a few times about this,” Gatz said. “I can’t think of a better person to help us out.”

Since the Town Recorder position was filled by a Town Council member, a seat on the Town Council is now empty.

Gatz spoke of his desire to fill the position by the next regular Town Council meeting in April.

“It’s very important to bring another person into the Town Council,” Gatz said. “I want to suggest that we do it through the same process as we did with the open Recorder seat. Let’s take until the next meeting to think about who we could nominate to join the council, at that point. I think it worked pretty well, in terms of filling our open position, when people nominated Marty, so I think we should use a similar process now.”

After further discussion with the Town Council, Gatz acknowledged there may be excellent candidates for the position, who are unknown to the members of town government. He said letters of interest, from anyone who would like to be considered for the position, may be submitted to the Corporation of Shepherdstown.