CHAPEL HILL – The clock is ticking, and there’s just a few hours left for Chapel Hill residents to apply to fill a vacant seat on the town council.

The seat opened up last month when council member Penny Rich resigned to serve on the Board of County Commissioners.

Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt announced the vacancy at the council’s last meeting of 2012 and set the application deadline for 5:00 tonight.

So far five people have put their names forward:

Loren Hintz has served as the chair of the town’s transportation board, and currently serves on the Orange County Commission for the Environment.

Paul Neebe is a classical musician and real estate broker who says the town needs to expand its tax base to keep housing affordable.

Aaron Shah also wants to focus on affordable housing, especially for town and university employees.

Gary Kahn is an avid council-watcher who wants to be a voice for Southern Village.

And Maria Palmer is a pastor and educator who says she can engage Chapel Hill’s Latino community and bring more voices to local government.

But one notable name missing from the list is that of Sally Greene, a former council member who served two terms before stepping down in 2011. After a year off, she’s said she intends to re-enter public life by applying for the position, and if appointed, she plans to run for re-election.

Also absent are two-time council candidate Jon DeHart and planning board member Amy Ryan, both of whom have previously expressed interest in applying to fill the vacant seat.

Whoever is appointed will serve the remainder of Rich’s term, which ends in December.

The town council will hear a brief presentation from each applicant on January 14 before voting to appoint a new member on January 23.