On a split vote, the Coaldale Borough Council approved the hiring of a third fulltime policeman for the borough.

Timothy Delaney, East Street, was hired on a 5-2 vote, with councilmen Donald Butts and Clarence Keich opposing the move. Voting in favor were Robert Hoben, chairman of the police committee, Geno Poli, president, Warren Balliet, Richard Marek and John Knipper.

Delaney was the only qualified applicant for the position, according to Poli, who said another applicant who took the Civil Service Commission test earlier this month, Stephen Foster, was no longer interested in the position.

Foster was hired in recent months as a truck driver-mechanic for the borough.