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More than 20 people have applied for the vacant Chuckatuck Borough City Council seat, but who they are will stay under wraps.

City spokeswoman Diana Klink confirmed that there are 21 candidates who have applied for the open seat, created after Mike Duman, who had previously represented the Chuckatuck Borough since 2011, won a four-way race for mayor.

However, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, Klink said that state code “exempts personnel records containing information concerning identifiable individuals.

“The Attorney General has held that applications for appointment or employment are exempt from disclosure as personnel records, and therefore applications submitted to fill the City Council Chuckatuck Borough vacancy would be exempt from disclosure.”

Council discussed the candidates during a closed session of the Jan. 20 meeting. During the council comment period near the end of its meeting, Duman noted the number of candidates.

“I want to thank those 21 civic-minded citizens that submitted applications to fill my vacancy on City Council representing the Chuckatuck Borough,” Duman said. “I don’t think I’ve seen — and I’ve looked at a lot of applications from a lot of people, job applications — I don’t think I’ve seen a more qualified, capable and suitable group of individuals. I mean, I was expecting maybe four or five (candidates). But we’ve got 21 applications, and I want to thank them for their willingness to serve.”

Duman said the council will continue to review the applicants at its Feb. 3 meeting, and he said by code, it must appoint someone by the end of February.

The city had extended the deadline for applicants for the vacant seat from Dec. 31 to Jan. 15.

Council will appoint someone for the Chuckatuck Borough by a majority vote by the end of February. The person appointed will serve until Dec. 31, 2022. An election for the Chuckatuck Borough council seat will take place during the November 2022 general election.