Three’s a crowd, but sometimes that’s a good thing. Sheffield Township would settle for two.

Entering the New Year, the township’s government has been forced to a halt following the resignation of incumbent supervisors Jeff Labesky effective Dec. 30 and Nate Lindberg effective Dec. 23.

However, a lone supervisor isn’t enough to keep the wheels of government turning.

Under Pennsylvania state law, a township board of supervisors can be comprised of three or five members, with three being the standard. Also under state law, a quorum, or a majority of members of a governmental body, must be present to conduct any official votes. As a result, Sheffield Township needs at least two supervisors to conduct any official business.

With only one supervisor, the township can’t even hold its organizational meeting, as it lacks a quorum to approve positions.

“I’m waiting to see when I can schedule it,” Kulka-Leichtenberger said.

Newly elected supervisor Matt Bell, who won his campaign against incumbent Jay Fitch this year, had not been officially sworn in as of Friday afternoon. According to township Secretary Kristi Kulka-Leichtenberger, Bell was slated to be sworn in later in the day. Normally, Bell would be sworn in at the organizational meeting.

In fact, the township was only able to pass a budget because Labesky temporarily rescinded his resignation to allow the board to vote. Following the budget meeting, Labesky’s resignation went back into effect.

“It was just to keep the lights on in Sheffield Township,” Kulka-Leichtenberger said.

So what happens now? She said the details aren’t clear.

Title 53 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated statutes does provide for appointments to fill vacancies.

If a majority of members of a governing body remain, they can make appointments to fill a position. If less than a majority remain, they are permitted to appoint members by majority vote of remaining members until a majority of total seats are filled and then appoint additional members. However, Bell was not officially a supervisor at the time of the resignations.

So where does that leave the township?

Under state law, “if by reason of a tie vote or otherwise, the vacancy shall not have been filled by the remaining members of municipal council” the court of common pleas may appoint individuals to fill vacancies, but it can’t act alone. In order for the court appointment process to begin, the court must receive a petition by at least ten “qualified electors” – voters registered within the jurisdiction of the governing body to which the appointments are to be made.

Even with a petition, the court appointment can take some time. The court also needs someone qualified and willing to serve to appoint.

“It could be a month or more,” Kulka-Leichtenberger said. “We’re looking for two new supervisors.”