Applications are being accepted to fill a vacancy on New Castle City Council left by Chet Orelli Jr.’s resignation.

Orelli resigned, effective yesterday, to take a job with a private firm in Cincinnati.

Council president Karen DeCarlo said the lawmakers plan to discuss the vacancy at their work session Tuesday.

Some people already have indicated their interest in being appointed to council, she said.

Anyone who is interested should send applications to city hall to DeCarlo’s attention, she said.

She said council is “going to look at everybody” who is interested.

“At this point, no one’s locked into the position. I want to be fair to everyone.”

Council has 30 days from yesterday to fill the vacancy. If the four remaining members are unable to name someone within that time, common pleas court, upon the petition of 10 or more voters, will fill the vacancy. The appointee will serve through the end of 2009.

Under Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law, all deliberations on filling the vacancy, including the interviewing of candidates, must be conducted in public.