Bristol Borough Council is accepting applications for interim mayor through noon on Oct. 28, following the sudden resignation of Bristol Borough Mayor Pat Sabatini last Friday.
The announcement came during a special session on Tuesday evening, where council voted to accept the resignation.
Council president Ralph DiGuiseppe will assume responsibilities of the mayor for 30 days, until a new one is appointed. The interim mayor will hold office until 2018.
DiGuiseppe said he plans to hold interviews over two executive sessions on Nov. 1 and 2, and hopes to appoint a new mayor at the regular council meeting on Nov. 14.
“We’re going to keep an open mind about this, and hopefully pick the right person to be mayor for the next year and a half,” he said.
According to a letter submitted by Sabatini, he “can no longer morally and ethically continue this position” now that he has moved into a home outside the borough.
In the letter, read by council member David Girard, Sabatini recognized past and present council members, borough employees and residents, and thanked council for the recent hire of Police Chief Henry.
“I believe he has all the knowledge and experience to bring our town into the future,” the letter read.
Sabatini, who was not present, was a member of Bristol Borough Council for 16 years, and was elected mayor in 2013. At the meeting, DiGiuseppe announced plans to honor him at the December or January council meeting.
“I worked with Pat for 16 years as a councilman and as a mayor,” said DiGiuseppe. “He will be missed.”
