Schuylkill Township supervisors rehired a part-time police officer Monday night, against the wishes of Chief Frank DiMarco.

After an executive session, the supervisors voted unanimously to rehire Jason Lex at a rate of $17.50 per hour on a six-month probationary period and a supervisor option of an additional two-month probationary period.

The supervisors also voted to have DiMarco provide his monthly police officer schedule before each month’s supervisors’ meeting.

Before the executive session, Supervisor Gary Feathers made a motion to rehire Lex, which passed 2-1, with Supervisor Chairman Charles Fayash voting no.

“Are you going against my authority as chief?” DiMarco asked the supervisors. “I resigned in December in protest over this. I’m in the middle of an investigation into a part-time officer for violating the rules. I guess anybody can do whatever they want.” Lex resigned earlier this year after the rules violation DiMarco alleges.

“We’re your boss, the supervisors,” Feathers said.

During the meeting, Feathers questioned the police department’s procedure and protocol manual. “I don’t know if this manual is legitimate or approved by the supervisors,” Feathers said, “I want to see it here on the table by the end of the meeting.”

“It (the manual) has been here since I’ve been here,” DiMarco said at the meeting.

During the executive session, DiMarco provided the manual to the supervisors to review, The manual will still be in effect, township solicitor Joseph Baranko said,

The supervisors also approved a motion to research prices to buy a new refrigerator, because Feathers said the same refrigerator that was being used to store police evidence was being used to store food.

DiMarco said the evidence - rape kits and body parts - has to be refrigerated in sealed containers to protect the chain of evidence in a police case, which was affirmed by Baranko.

The supervisors also tabled a move to buy a several-year supply of ammunition for $678 until alternate prices are obtained.