Nesquehoning's police chief now has a new contract.

Borough council, on Wednesday, voted to approve a new three-year contract with Chief Sean Smith, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2014, following extensive negotiations. Council President David Hawk said after the meeting that it was good to finally reach an agreement with the chief, who has worked without a formal contract since 2011 because the one agreed upon in December 2011 was voided by the courts in 2013 because it was acted upon by an outgoing council and was against public policy.Negotiations between the two parties have been taking place since then.Terms of the agreement cover everything including salary, pension, vacation time, training and uniform allowance and more, Hawk said.According to the agreement, Smith will be paid $31.01 per hour retroactive for the year 2014; and $31.41 per hour retroactive from the date of acceptance. This back payment will be paid in installments based on the contract breakdowns.Smith will then receive $31.95 per hour in 2016 and $32.50 per hour in 2017.He is scheduled to work 40 hours a week, but his hours vary. He does get paid for overtime, secretary/treasurer RoniSue Ahner said.