The Martin Township Board Wednesday evening appointed Rachelle Smit to succeed Carrie Coburn as township clerk, beginning Jan. 1.

Coburn resigned last month after serving in the post for the past 13 years. She has accepted a full-time position in the payroll department for Allegan County Mental Health. He last day on the job here will be Dec. 31.

Smit was the only applicant for the job, which was advertised in the Penasee Globe and on the township’s newsletter and web site. The position pays a little more than $24,000 per year.

The board voted last month to send out notices of the job opening and set a deadline of 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, for applications.

The Township Board is asking Smit to serve as an assistant to the deputy clerk until Jan. 1 at a rate of $12 per hour because the Nov. 3 special election will provide her with excellent trial run experience.

Coburn’s deputy, Debbie Gossman, also must step down because she is appointed by the clerk, but she will remain on the job until Jan. 1. Coburn said she asked if Gossman would be interested in applying the clerk’s job, but she declined.

Smit will serve at least until November 2016 and is eligible to seek election to the post in the August 2016 primary.

She and her husband, David, live in Martin and have an adopted son, Seth Emmanuel.

PHOTO: Carrie Coburn