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Knowlton to Hold Special Meeting Tuesday to Fill Township Committee Vacancy

September 8, 2026

Recent photo of the Knowlton Township Committee with former Committeeman Ryan Lembeck on right. The governing body will hold a special meeting Tuesday to fill Lembeck’s vacant seat. Photo by Joe Phalon.

The Knowlton Township Committee will be looking to fill an empty seat on the governing body at a special meeting Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

At its August meeting, the governing body voted 4-0 to declare vacant the seat held by now-former Committeeman Ryan Lembeck for excessive absenteeism.

Mayor and Committeewoman Debra Shipps said at the August meeting that Lembeck has missed most of the 2026 committee meetings.

“Ryan Lebeck has missed four consecutive meetings of the Knowlton Township Committee between May 2026 and August 2026,” Shipp said at part of a resolution declaring the seat vacant. “Mr. Lembeck failed to attend four consecutive meetings over more than an eight-week period.”

Lembeck was elected to the committee last November and took office in January. He attributed his absences to issues concerning his newborn daughter.

“This year, my family welcomed our daughter, who was born with serious health issues that have required multiple procedures, hospital visits and continued medical care,” Lembeck said. “During this difficult time, my priority needed to be my daughter and my family, and I ultimately made the difficult decision to step away from the township committee.”

Lembeck added that he felt let down by the reaction of his colleagues on the committee but that he was grateful for the support from the township.

“While I was personally disappointed by aspects of my experience with the Township Committee during this difficult time, I am extremely grateful for the kindness, concern and support shown to my family by so many residents of Knowlton,” Lembeck said.

“They showed kindness toward my family during a very difficult year. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have served Knowlton Township,” he said.

After the resolution passed, the township Republican committee was formally notified of the vacancy and invited to make recommendations to fill the seat. Because Lembeck was a Republican, the position will be filled by a member of the GOP.

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer

Contributing Writer

Joe brings decades of journalism experience to the Ridge View Echo, covering everything from local school boards to the U.S. Supreme Court. A former National Law Journal editor and Columbia Law School press officer, he now enjoys telling community stories in Blairstown, where he lives with his wife, Rose, and their two dachshunds.