ALPENA — On Friday, the Alpena Township Board of Trustees appointed Michele Palevich as the new township clerk.

Palevich was appointed after Clerk Karie Bleau announced her resignation during a board meeting on July 23. Bleau’s last day is Monday. She resigned after her husband, former Department of Public Works Director Jerry Bleau, accepted a job downstate.

After the board approved Pavelich as the new clerk on Friday, Trustee Nathan Thomson resigned because he takes over as the new DPW director on Monday.

Supervisor Nathan Skibbe said Palevich will have to give two weeks’ notice to her current job, so she will work as the clerk in a limited basis at first.

Skibbe said more than 40 people applied for the clerk’s position and after interviews were completed, the township’s personnel committee worked to narrow the list down to two applicants before Friday’s meeting.

“The personnel committee worked diligently,” he said.

Skibbe is excited about what Palevich can bring to the township as the clerk.

“She has a wealth of knowledge and experience that she’ll be bringing to the table to help the township more forward in a linear manner. It was a tough decision,” Skibbe said.

Skibbe said Palevich’s education and background is why she stood out over the other candidates who applied. He said Palevich’s background showcased during her interview.

“She was straightforward and gave a very good impression to the committee,” Skibbe said.

The final two candidates were Palevich and Sarah Prevo.

Skibbe said Palevich will finish the Bleau’s term, which ends in 2020. She can then run in the 2020 election.

Julie Goldberg can be reached at jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com or 989-358-5688.