NORWAY — The Norway City Council has tapped Rico Meneghini to fill the same council seat his late father had before resigning in early November.

The council Monday appointed Meneghini to replace Jeremy Oja, who had stepped down in February after only a few months back on the council because he was moving out of the city.

Meneghini is the early kindergarten through eighth-grade principal, community schools director and Title 1 coordinator at Norway-Vulcan Area Schools.

His father, Lee Meneghini, left the council in early November after 11 years of service in his second stint with the governing body. He died Jan. 4 at age 77.

Oja, who previously had served roughly eight years on the council and was mayor from 2011 to 2015, was appointed Nov. 16 but left Feb. 15.

Rico Meneghini was sworn in after unanimous approval and participated in the rest of Monday’s council meeting, conducted by Zoom.

Meneghini was one of four candidates to apply for the position and will remain on the council until November, when area voters will decide four seats. The other applicants were Kristin Bal, Laura Hyde-Smith and Leonard Bietila.

Speaking to the council, Meneghini said he believed his experience with professionals would be an asset in Norway’s growth, rather than just its maintenance.

“A big thank you for this opportunity,” Meneghini said. “I appreciate it.”

“Welcome to the team,” City Manager Ray Anderson said.

Mayor Candy Brew, council members Scott Popp, Bret Kraemer and Jeff Muraro and City Attorney Grant Carlson also welcomed Meneghini to the council and thanked the other applicants for their interest.

In other business, the council:

— Hired GEI Consultants Inc. of Iron Mountain to provide engineering services for the planned construction of a new multi-use field at Norway’s Marion Park, at a cost not to exceed $3,500.

— Contracted Energy Control & Design Inc. of Appleton, Wis., to provide annual heating, ventilation and air conditioning maintenance at City Hall, at a cost not to exceed $2,453.

— Allowed signs to be posted at the pocket park on Main Street and U.S. 2 from today through Friday for the Knights of Columbus Council 9523’s annual fish fry at St. Mary Catholic Church.

— Agreed to schedule a public hearing on resident Michael Muraro’s request for the city to vacate public right-of-way adjacent to lot 60 of Colwell’s Lakeside Addition. Muraro hopes to clear the property for a possible garage, according to the request. The date for the hearing has not been set.