During the reorganization meeting Monday night, Palmerton Borough Council swore in three re-elected members and a full-time police officer, selected new officers for the council, and approved a replacement for the seat vacated in December by Jason Behler.

Council members Holly Sell, Jeremy Barbosa and Terry L. Costenbader were sworn in my Mayor Christopher Olivia, followed by swearing in the new full-time police officer, Shawn Leadbetter. The council had approved his hiring in November, but the position didn’t become effective until Jan. 4. Leadbetter had been serving as a part-time officer for the borough. He is replacing officer John Rupell, who retired in September.Next, the borough council nominated Terry Costenbader as the president, Kris Hoffner as the vice president, and Jeremy Barbosa as the chairman pro tem.“Welcome aboard, everybody,” Mayor Olivia said.Just before moving onto the next agenda item, borough manager Rodger Danielson told the council that one resident expressed interest in the council opening. Randy Gursky sent in a letter expressing his interest in the position. The council took a motion to approve his appointment to the council, then voted. It was a unanimous yes. Gursky took the oath and was sworn in by Mayor Olivia, and took a seat beside the council members.The borough also approved several appointments. These include:• Borough manager/ secretary/ streets commissioner — Rodger Danielson• Treasurer/ assistant secretary — Donna McGarry• Solicitor — Michael Ozalas• General engineer — Keystone Consulting Engineers in Allentown• Sewer and water engineer — ARRO in Lititz• Code enforcement officer — Duane Dellecker• Code enforcement agent — Larry Zawaly• Sewer enforcement officer — ARROThe last act of reorganization was establishing the meeting dates for 2016. The council decided to keep its schedule of meeting on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month from January through October. They decided to meet on the first and third Thursdays of the month in November and December due to the holidays. Several council members said they thought meeting earlier worked well in 2015. Council member Holly Sell backed up the sentiment by saying the week of Christmas is very busy, so she thinks it is better to meet earlier in the month.Before ending the meeting, the council voted on whether or not to appoint Jarratt Trainer to the Palmerton Borough Planning Commission. He had sent in a letter of interest for the vacant position. The council voted unanimously to accept his appointment and Trainer was added to the commission.