North Irwin council underwent an abrupt reorganization last week.

Edwin "Bo" Anthony was ousted as board president, replaced by John McIntyre. Mr. Anthony, however, retains his council seat, which will expire in 2009.

Kim Macalus was re-elected as vice president. Council also reinstated the president pro tempore position, to which Gordon Stoves was appointed.

About 60 residents witnessed the reorganization July 14 in a meeting that was moved from the town hall to the firetruck bay of the borough fire hall nearby. Trucks had to be pulled out to make room.

The changes came in the wake of three months of bickering among council members over daily operations of the borough, including a proposed promotion of part-time public works employee Ken Zona to working foreman.

Council last year demoted Bernie Reynolds, 76, a borough councilman and part-time public works employee, from that position with a reduction in pay.

"I'm not surprised. I've been hearing rumors and read the blogs on the Internet," Mr. Anthony said. "This is a vendetta, a conspiracy to get rid of me because I questioned Mr. Zona's qualifications and support Bernie Reynolds.

"Council is flirting with age-discrimination litigation," he warned. "A lengthy lawsuit could bankrupt our borough. Council could be surcharged."

Mr. Anthony, Mr. Reynolds and Councilman Mel Ostrom have opposed efforts by Mrs. Macalus to promote Mr. Zona with a $1-per-hour increase in pay. Motions by her to do so in June and last week were tabled. Council has not taken action.

Mr. Stoves confirmed that Mrs. Macalus had said she quit council during a heated discussion last month, but he said several members, including Mr. Anthony, coaxed her to change her mind.

"Our solicitor advised that Mrs. Macalus simply write a note to council members saying her 'resignation' was hasty and attributed to tension, and she had reconsidered," Mr. Stoves said.

Mrs. Macalus was part of a majority with Mr. Anthony, Mr. Ostrom and Mr. Reynolds.

Mr. Stoves, who headed council until the board reorganized in January, said he had considered the reorganization and ouster of Mr. Anthony as president since May.

"I've had it with all the months of chaos council was experiencing internally with borough operations," Mr. Stoves said.

"In May, I discussed options [council] might consider to correct the situation with the solicitor and Mayor [Lenny] Santimyer. But I was reluctant to make a move until I had the votes to support it."

Mr. McIntyre said talk of reorganizing had "been festering" among council members for some time.

At last week's meeting, council voted 5-2 in favor of motions by Mr. Stoves to reorganize and to appoint Mr. McIntyre as president.

Mr. Stoves, Mr. McIntyre, Mrs. Macalus, Mr. Anthony and Ken Galley voted in favor of the motions. Mr. Ostrom and Mr. Reynolds dissented.

Mrs. Macalus was re-elected vice president 4-3, with Mrs. Macalus, Mr. Stoves, Mr. Galley and Mr. McIntyre voting in favor.

Council voted 5-2 to reinstate the president pro tempore position. Mr. Anthony and Mr. Reynolds dissented. Mr. Stoves was appointed 4-3, with Mr. Anthony, Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Ostrom dissenting.

Before adjournment, Mr. Stoves announced he would not seek re-election when his term expires next year.

"I have 17 months left to serve on council," he said. "That's about all I can take after all of this constant bickering."