Palmerton Borough Council hired Dane O'Brien as a probationary full-time police officer Thursday, pending successful completion of psychological and physical examinations and meeting of state requirements.

The initial salary was set at $24.22 per hour.O'Brien previously served as a part-time officer for the department.Eric Schwab was hired as a probationary part-time police officer, pending successful completion of psychological and physical examinations, meeting of state requirements, and certification from the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission, with a starting salary of $16 per hour.After one year of probationary service, Detective Kevin Buck and Sgt. Chris Ritter were placed on full-time status with the department.In other business, the borough's sludge hauling contract with Waste Management was passed, with a 2017 rate increase to $92 per ton, including all fuel and environmental charges.The following board and commission appointments were confirmed at Thursday's meeting:• James Christman, planning commission, with a term lasting until Dec. 31, 2020.• William Smelas, municipal authority, with a term lasting until Dec. 31, 2021.• Andy Jordan, zoning hearing board, with a term lasting until Dec. 31, 2019.• Dr. John Nicholson, board of health, with a term lasting until Dec. 31, 2021.• William Stribany, hospital authority, with a term lasting until Dec. 31, 2021.• Matthew Baumgardt, along with alternates Eric Snyder, Michael Tirpak and Greg Haas, UCC Board of Appeals, with terms lasting until Dec. 31, 2021, Dec. 31, 2017, Dec. 31, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2021, respectively.• Jack Woginrich, library board representative, with a term lasting until Dec. 31, 2017.• Michael Kercsmar, emergency management coordinator, with a term lasting until Dec. 31, 2017.• Donna McGarry, representative to Carbon County Tax Collection Committee, with a term lasting until Dec. 31, 2017.• David Shields, alternate representative for building codes, with a term lasting until Dec. 31, 2017.• Rodger Danielson and Richard Nothstein, alternate representatives to the Carbon County Tax Collection Committee, with terms lasting until Dec. 31, 2017.The following positions are vacant:• Zoning hearing board alternate• Shade Tree Commission (two positions)• Board of health (two positions)• Hospital authority