Nesquehoning’s police chief, as well as another full-time officer, are retiring at the end of the month.

On Wednesday, borough council approved a motion to change the status of Chief Sean Smith and Officer Timothy Wuttke from active to disability retired, effective May 31.

Prior to the vote, borough solicitor Robert Yurchak told the board that there is one grievance with Wuttke that will remain open and will be addressed at a later date. He didn’t go into further detail on the nature of the grievance.

Both Smith and Wuttke have been out on medical leave due to injury or health issues for nearly a year.

Yurchak recommended that council review the job specs that are currently in place for the police chief position. He recommended that the new chief not be a member of the union bargaining unit. Smith was a member.

“I think it is difficult for a chief to be a member of the same bargaining unit of the other officers,” Yurchak said.

Council will now begin the process of preparing to hire a new police chief.

Smith had served as the borough’s police chief since April 2001.

Prior to that, he served as a detective in the Lansford police department, a position he held since 1999.

Wuttke had been with the Nesquehoning force since December 2002. Prior to that, he had also served with the Lansford police as a part-time patrolman.

Neither officer was present at the meeting and council gave no further comment.