The Palmerton Borough Council met in special session on Saturday and appointed James Smith as the new police chief of the community.

The vote came after borough secretary Harrison Gruber quoted a letter from the Civil Service Commission stating its members have certified the qualifications of Smith to be the chief.

Carl Krex made the motion to nominate Smith as the chief and he, President Vincent Kappes, Joseph Blichar, Leonard Bundra and Samuel Todt voted for the promotion. Councilman Conrad Biege voted “ no” and Joseph Chintala was absent from the session.