The Palmerton Borough Council unanimously appointed Dennis Behler as the new fire chief of the Palmerton Municipal Fire Company.

Mayor Christopher Olivia said there was only one application, but Behler is no newcomer. He has been serving as the assistant fire chief during Larry Zawaly's term as fire chief. But he has also served as fire chief in the past. Zawaly retired from the position earlier this month.Several council members had glowing remarks about Behler, who was not present at the meeting to hear the news of his appointment."He's dedicated his life to the borough," council member Kris Hoffner said. "He's done more for this borough than any of us.""He's a good guy," council President Terry Costenbader said about Behler.Councilwoman Holly Sell said Behler is an emergency medical technician and the coordinator of the borough's Public Works Department. His sons are also members of the fire department.With Behler's appointment, the assistant fire chief position is now open. Costenbader suggested they advertise the opening. The council decided to accept applications up to Oct. 30, and then they will review them and make a decision at the Nov. 5 meeting.The council also received another resignation from the fire department and made an appointment in the police department.Ryan Bonser submitted his letter of resignation to the borough council as lieutenant of the fire department. The council voted to accept his resignation. Bonser was not at the meeting to make any comment about his resignation.The council passed an ordinance allowing them to make appointments to the fire department. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the fire department should fill out an application in the borough office. Hoffner said the candidates are interviewed either over the phone or in person. The chief's recommendations are also considered, and then the council votes on the new members."We can really never have enough volunteers," he said.In the police department, Christopher Ritter was appointed to the position of sergeant. This is a newly created position."I'm honored and humbled," Ritter said following the appointment.The borough created the sergeant position in addition to a detective position, now held by officer Kevin Buck. Ritter said the positions were created because the police department needs to be in position where it can grow and advance. He has been with the department for 13 years."It's been a long road," Ritter said. "This is something I've always aspired to."In other business, David Bodnar, director of the Carbon County Office of Planning and Development, read a public notice concerning the use of 2015 Community Development Block Grant funds for use in Palmerton Borough.The funds will be used for street improvements on Lehigh Street between Fourth and Fifth streets, on Fifth Street between Delaware and Lehigh avenues, and the demolition and clearance of blighted properties at 3 and 4 Hillside Ave.Bodnar said the project costs are expected to be $76,141 with administrative costs at $16,713 for a total grant of $92,854. The street improvement project is expected to benefit low- to moderate-income people, and additional street improvement projects will continue over the next three years.