Palmerton Police Department has received a new three-year contract that calls for a 3 percent raise each year.

Additionally, borough council on Thursday agreed to establish a new rank position within the police department that could result in promotions within the department.Both votes passed by a 5-0 measure. Councilmen Jason Behler and Jeremy Barbosa were absent.After about a 30-minute executive session, council made the decision to approve the new contract between the Palmerton Police Benevolent Association and the borough.The contract runs from Jan. 1, 2015, through Dec. 31, 2017. Officers will receive a 3 percent increase in 2015, 2016 and 2017.Borough Manager Rodger Danielson said the police department's current contract was set to expire Dec. 31.Of the new contract, Danielson said "it seemed to be in line with what we've been seeing in the area."Rank positionEarlier this month, the borough's Civil Service Commission 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.After the deadline for accepting all applications, and after the promotional examination, should there be no qualified candidates, the commission may seek applications from people who do not meet the criterion, both from within and from outside of the department.Danielson said the borough plans to post for the positions of investigator and sergeant. The positions will be paid according to the contract.