James Ringler officially became treasurer of Niles Charter Township Monday after the board formally accepted a letter from treasurer-elect John Engel declining the position.

Ringler, who has been treasurer for 16 years, will serve in the position for another four years.

Engel defeated Ringler in the primary election and again in the general election, in which Ringler ran as a write-in candidate. However, Engel turned down the treasurer’s position to pursue what he described as a dream teaching job.

The township board appointed Ringler to the treasurer position during a special meeting last week, pending Engel’s official resignation.

In other news, the township board set a public hearing for the 2013 budget at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and accepted the resignation of Scott Krueger from the utilities department.

Also, Niles resident Marie Weimer during public comment challenged the board to “work together for what is best for the township and not nitpick and do anything else.”

Supervisor Jim Stover assured Weimer the board would do just that.