Section 4. (a) When a vacancy shall take place in the office of mayor, a successor shall be elected for the unexpired term at the next election occurring more than thirty days after the commencement of such vacancy, unless such election should occur in the last year of said term, in which case a mayor shall be chosen by the council by a majority vote of all the members elected thereto.
(b) Until the vacancy is filled, or in case of the mayor's temporary disability, the president of the council shall act as mayor; or if he should resign or be unable to act, then the chairman of the finance committee of the council shall act as mayor. ((b) amended Mar. 7, 1939, P.L.7, No.6)