The Palmerton Borough has a new full-time police officer.

At the borough meeting Thursday night, council members approved hiring Shawn Leadbetter. The position will become effective on Jan. 4, 2016. Leadbetter is currently a part-time officer for the borough. He is replacing officer John Rupell, who retired in September.Mayor Christopher Olivia said he was thrilled to have Leadbetter join the staff full time, but also wanted to let the council know that the police department will be down one officer until January. One of the officers was hurt recently in a police chase and will be out through December.Borough council also approved a firefighter resignation and two appointments to the fire department. Firefighter Matt Miller turned in his resignation from the Palmerton Municipal Fire Co., while Tanner Bell and Mike Williams requested to be appointed.The fire department has seen several resignations and appointments since September when Fire Chief Larry Zawaly turned in his letter of retirement from the position and resignation from the department.In other business, council member Michael Ballard said Waste Management Inc. has accepted the agreement to provide sludge hauling and disposal for the borough.The new rate is $91.25 per ton. Residents' rates will not be affected.Ballard also asked that the council approve opening bids for the transfer station project and the Wastewater Treatment Plant covers and walkway project. They were approved.Bids for the transfer station project will open at 11 a.m. Dec. 11. Bids for the covers and walkway at the Wastewater Treatment Plant will open at 1 p.m. Jan. 12.Rodger Danielson, the borough manager, said the treatment plant project will be done through the state e-bids system."There's no physical opening here at the office," he said.Under new business, council member Kris Hoffner said the Carbon County Council of Governments has filed its articles of incorporation, and he was elected chairman.The council of governments comprises 14 municipalities of the 23 in Carbon County. Hoffner hopes the others will join eventually.The council of governments is also in the process of applying for a Local Share Account grant to help pay for a milling machine and pole building to house the machine, Hoffner told the borough council. The milling machine will be used to grind up old road surfaces so that repaving can be done. The machine is expected to cost about $92,000.Council member Terry Costenbader expressed concern over people walking at night on the roadways.He said they are hard to see and should use the sidewalks. That's why the borough repaired many sidewalks in recent years.Council member Jeremy Barbosa said he's concerned about the lack of parking at the school when court is in session.He said many of the parking spots are filled by police cars from other areas and people attending court.Barbosa asked that the council look into possibly paving a grassy area nearby.Danielson replied, "It's extremely expensive to do that."Olivia suggested removing some shrubbery in an existing lot to create more parking spots.Ballard agreed that it is an issue they should look into later.Danielson wanted to remind the public about the odd/even parking regulations when the snow falls.In order to help the borough clear streets of snow, residents are to park on the odd number side of the street on the odd number days of the month.They should move their vehicles to the even side of the road around 7 p.m. in preparation for the next day, which would be an even day of the month.