Sewickley councilman resigns, mayor to step down at end of the year

Sewickley officials seek to fill a vacancy on council by next month, and plan to appoint a new mayor early next year.

The resignations of both Councilman Hendrik van der Vaart and Mayor Brian Jeffe were addressed by council Tuesday night.

Van der Vaart submitted his letter of resignation Friday. He has moved out of state. The letter and council did not mention where he went.

Jeffe gave notice of this resignation in a letter addressed to council and residents dated July 27. He plans to step down at the end of the year.

In his resignation latter, Van der Vaart thanked council “for its willingness … to make many hard decisions for the long-term well-being of our community.”

Council President Jeff Neff thanked the former councilman for his service.

“Hendrik was a great council person, fiscally responsible, attentive to the needs of the people (and) one of the most transparent people that I know,” Neff said.

Van der Vaart and Cynthia Mullins both won reelection last November. Van der Vaart’s term expires at the end of 2023.

Help wanted: Sewickley council person

Council plans to post the vacancy and accept letters of interest with the goal of filling the position at a special meeting 7 p.m. on Sept. 3.

Borough officials said they’ve already received two applications for the Ward 2 seat to the surprise of the council president.

“News travels fast in our little town,” Neff said.

Mayor Jeffe participated in Tuesday night’s Zoom council meeting.

He said he has “run out of energy,” but pledged to give it his all through the end of December.

“There are lots of issues to finish here, and I fully plan on giving you 110% for the next five months,” Jeffe said.

He took office in 2010 and is in his third term. He plans to remain active in the community.

“You can count on me volunteering in many fashions,” Jeffe said. “It’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life. I’ve learned an awful lot.”

A new mayor could be appointed in January. That seat will be on the 2021 ballot.

“I’m saddened,” Neff told Jeffe. “You and I have a great partnership here at the borough. You’ve been a stellar mayor … by far one of the most active, one of the most involved mayors that we’ve been fortunate enough to have here in the borough of Sewickley. It’s going to be hard to fill your shoes with the next person.”

Letters of interest for both vacancies can be sent to the borough office at 601 Thorn St.