Palmerton has promoted a patrolman to the rank of police investigator.

On Thursday, borough council unanimously agreed to appoint patrolman Kevin Buck as police investigator.Buck was the only officer to apply for the post, as it was an internal position. He has been a full-time officer with the borough since July 2005.His appointment comes after council last month agreed to establish a new rank position within the police department with regard to promotions within the department.The borough's Civil Service Commission last month approved amendments to the rules and regulations with regard to applications for promotion within its police department.The amendments state that applications for promotion to the rank of corporal, sergeant and captain are required to have served as full-time police officers of the borough for a minimum of three years.Last month, council approved a new three-year contract between the Palmerton Police Benevolent Association and the borough.The new pact calls for a 3 percent raise each year. The contract runs from Jan. 1, 2015, through Dec. 31, 2017. Officers will receive a 3 percent increase in 2015, 2016 and 2017.The police department's current contract was set to expire Dec. 31.Borough Manager Rodger Danielson said at that time the borough had planned to post for the positions of investigator and sergeant.The positions will be paid according to the contract, Danielson said.Sergeant positionIn a related matter, Danielson noted that the borough has three applicants to fill the sergeant position.After the meeting, he said the candidates who applied are officers Tim Kromer, Mike Fedor and Chris Ritter.Because it's a position that is under Civil Service guidelines and requires testing, Danielson said there's a recommended 60 to 90 days prep time to study for the test.As a result, he said the position likely won't be filled until the spring.New shift scheduleIn other police-related news, Danielson said the police department's new 10-hour shift schedule goes into effect Jan. 5.Per the new schedule, police will now work four 10-hour shifts, he said. Previously, they had worked five eight-hour shifts, Danielson said.Danielson said after the meeting that the police department requested the schedule change during the prior contract negotiations."It's going to be new for us; take some changeover," he said. "We're looking forward to working with the police on that."Other businessOther action taken by council is as follows:• Approved the 2015 salary schedule.• Approved a one-year renewal of the borough's sludge disposal contract with Waste Management for the hauling and disposal of sludge. Next year's rate will increase to $90.75 per ton for the sludge, which includes all fuel/environmental surcharges. The monthly fee for the rags will increase by 1.2 percent.• Approved a one-year contract extension with Constellation Energy to provide electric supply.• Adopted a safety and loss control policy.• Agreed to hire David Washburn as a borough hall evening caretaker to work 12 hours per week, and Donald Handwerk as an alternate, both at the rate of $8 an hour. Bob Harry, who has filled the position for several years, will retire at the end of the year.• Approved the 2015 meeting schedule.