The Bedford Town Council voted to delay filling Bill Van Anglen’s vacant seat until June 13.

Accepting Van Anglen’s resignation from the council, effective immediately, the councilors will accept applications until Monday, May 21, review them at the May 23 meeting and appoint a new councilor June 13.

The town charter says vacancies “shall be filled by appointment, until the next regular election, by the council at its next regular meeting, by majority vote of five councilors.”

Chairman Paul Roy said the council’s decision to wait is OK.

“I’ve consulted the charter and I’ve consulted the town attorney, and he said don’t get hung up on the verbiage, just do what’s best for the town,” he said.

Applicants must have lived in Bedford for at least six months and cannot run for a seat in the March 2008 election.

The process approval came after discussion about whether the council should follow precedents set in 2004, when Andy Egan resigned and his seat was filled by Christopher Bandazian.

In 2004, the council used three criteria for an appointment, Chairman Paul Roy said, and the same criteria should be followed this time.

For that appointment, the two criteria currently in place, and a third -- that the applicant didn’t lose in the last election -- were used.

“Now if this was set up already back then, I don’t know why we wouldn’t follow it now,” Roy said.

Councilors Michael Scanlon and Kevin Keyes said the council didn’t have to use the same criteria.

“We’re by no means bound to follow that,” Keyes said.

Scanlon, who sat in the chairman seat in 2004, said this is a different situation.

Keyes motioned to appoint Bandazian, who lost in the March election. The motion failed 4-2, with Keyes and Scanlon supporting Bandazian.

Councilor Norm Longval said he is in favor of using the same criteria as in 2004.

“Back in 2004, Michael, you didn’t want to appoint somebody who had lost in the last election, and I was that person who had lost,” he said.

A motion by Councilor Bob Young to use two of the three criteria passed with Keyes and Scanlon voting against it.

“These are completely different circumstances we have today than we had three years ago,” Scanlon said.

After the meeting, Roy said the failed motion to appoint Bandazian did not preclude him from submitting an application.

To apply for the vacant Town Council position, send a letter of interest to Town Manager Russ Marcoux, Bedford Town Offices, 24 N. Amherst Road, Bedford, NH 03110. Applications will be accepted until Monday, May 21.