The Town Council appointed Brad Bishop to complete Henry Boezi's term on the panel in a 4-0 vote at a special meeting Monday night. Boezi died July 21.

Bishop, who was already in the running for a seat on the Council, has served on the Planning Board for 10 years, the last few as chairman. Like Boezi and the other members of the council, Bishop is a Republican.

Councilman Mark Gee nominated Bishop. "As a frequent observer of the Planning Board proceedings, [I've seen] he does an excellent job," said Gee. "For the last four or five months, Brad has attended every meeting that I’ve attended so he’s not someone who’s new to the process."

"He’s shown a commitment to our committee, and to our town," said Council President Michael Isaacs, noting that Bishop shared with the rest of the council  beliefs in fiscal conservatism and good governance.

Bishop, like the other four council members, faces re-election in November. There is only one additional candidate: Jean Ann Guliano, of the Moderate Party.

Bishop said while he was pleased to gain a place on the council ahead of the election, he was sorry it came as the result of Henry Boezi's death. "His shoes will be hard to fill," Bishop said of Boezi.

Bishop is vice president and general manager at SmartPak, in Massachusetts. He's spent the past 25 years in direct marketing and has degrees from Denison University and the University of Virginia.

Bishop will be sworn in at the council's next regular meeting, on Monday, Aug. 13.