Lansford borough council agreed Wednesday to purchase bulletproof vests for part-time police officers Chris Ondrus and Jason Helmer, if a roughly $450 grant is approved.

Ondrus and Helmer had agreed to pay half of what it would cost to purchase the vests during a public safety meeting on June 24, yet it was not determined how much a vest actually costs.Council member Mary Soberick said she would hate to see the officers pay a large amount of money for the safety equipment if it turned out that the grant was not enough to cover half of the expenses.Council moved to purchase the two vests with the grant money, and any additional expenses would be covered by the borough and not the police officers.President Rosemary Cannon opposed the motion and said she disagreed because other part-time police officers would not be offered the same deal. Part-time officers have never received bullet proof vests from the borough, but it was noted that Ondrus and Helmer had been with the department for many years.In other business:• The board tabled a decision to fix or dispose of parking meters in the borough. The board said many of the meters are not working and need to be recalibrated.Soberick said she thinks council should do away with the meters, arguing that the costs to operate them outweigh the money the meters take in.• The board moved to release $3,000 in escrow on a property at 7 N. Walnut Street. All were in favor.• The board approved a special event application for St. Luke 5k Run/Walk.• The board also approved a special event application for Zoostock 2013, pending the group's insurance information.• The board hired Richard Joseph Reis of Bethlehem as a part time police officer. All were in favor except council member Danielle Smith. The board also hired Mary Alberti as secretary/treasurer for the borough.