Walnutport has promoted a veteran officer as its new head of police.

On a unanimous measure, borough council on Thursday hired Sgt. Jason Nothstein as chief of police, pending his withdrawal from the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Walnutport Police Force Association and receiving a formal contract as chief of police with the borough.

Nothstein’s contract details will be approved by Council at an upcoming meeting.

Before the vote, borough Mayor Wayne Weidner said that Nothstein, who had been officer-in-charge, has done a phenomenal job and in his opinion earned the promotion.

“Since (former borough police Chief) Pete (Wayda) is retired now, Jason has been in charge and has done a fantastic job,” Weidner said. “I don’t know how he does it.”

Weidner noted that with the department having been short-staffed for some time, officers have been working around the clock.

“Jason is the backbone of all of that,” he said. “I just feel we should hire from within and give him (the nod).”

After the meeting, Nothstein shared his thoughts on his promotion.

”I’m very excited and thankful to the mayor and members of borough council to put their faith and confidence in me to lead the police department into the future,” Nothstein said. “This has been a goal of mine since I started this career, something that over time I have learned the leadership route and knew that this was my destiny to be chief of police.”

Nothstein, who has been with the department for the past 26 years, explained his goals for the department moving forward.

“What I want to establish here is a family atmosphere, unity, and a consistent progression between technology, and just overall improving the department day by day,” he said.

At borough council’s March meeting, resident Ron Bauer Jr. told council of his preference if council eventually decides to name a police chief to replace Wayda.

Bauer at that time strongly encouraged borough council to promote from within because he said they have a good group of guys.

Council appointed Nothstein as officer-in-charge effective June 29, 2024, after Wayda left.

Wayda used accumulated time from June 28 until his retirement in March.

Also on Thursday, council agreed to hire Rafael Martinez and Tyler Todora-Cope as part-time officers at the rate of $29 an hour.

With their hirings, that will eventually give the department five full-time officers and two part-time officers.

Last month, council unanimously agreed to hire Luis Garcia and Aung Tha as full-time officers.

Both will start at an annual salary of $53,414 for 2025, and were sworn in at that time by Weidner.

After that meeting, Nothstein noted the last time the department had five full-time officers was back in 2001.

Nothstein said Garcia finished the police academy, and started his training, while Tha will start the academy in July.

They will join Nothstein and patrol officers Scott Ledo and Nicholas Hartman.

In March, borough council on a 6-0 vote agreed to hire two full-time officers from Civil Service pending background checks and certification requirements.

Also at that time, council agreed to allow sponsorship of a full-time police officer when one steps forward.

Nothstein said the cost to attend the Allentown Police Academy is $6,000.

After the March meeting, Nothstein said that when they tested in September, they only had two applicants. Six people applied in the last testing round, but only two showed up for the test, he said.

Council President Mike Gaston said at that time council agreeing to sponsor a full-time officer doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a long-term deal.

Nothstein noted that the state does reimburse a percentage to municipalities, and added the sponsorship would only go for somebody who is willing to do all the Civil Service requirements, including taking the written test, going through the oral test, and that upon background investigation if they pass, would certify the civil service list and bring that to council for a hire, as only then would the sponsorship kick in.

He said it’s merely in the event that if one of the full-timers were to leave, they can get the ball rolling to start the process that there’s no question.

Nothstein said they have to be hired by borough council in order for that to happen.