A new part-time police secretary was scheduled to begin her first day of work in Lehighton today.

That came after borough council, on a 5-0 vote at a special meeting Wednesday, hired Debra Fermanis as a part-time police clerk at a salary of $10 an hour, to work 19.5 hours per week, effective today. Councilmen Darryl Arner and John Kreitz were absent.Fermanis' hiring is pending the result of a PA State Police Check, as well a pre-employment physical.As part of his motion, Councilman Scott Rehrig said that both the mayor and police chief will establish the time of day Fermanis will work, and that the hours will not be repetitious.In addition, Rehrig said no overtime would be afforded to her at any time.Police Chief Brian Biechy asked Rehrig why he didn't want Fermanis to work steady days.Rehrig explained that council is looking for a person to be part-time and to be there when possible by herself.He added that if Biechy felt it's necessary for her to work at a specific time, that would be up to Biechy and the mayor.It was noted that current part-time police secretary Georgia Traupman's last working day is April 15.Biechy then explained to council that the position is important, specifically with regard to entering parking tickets into the computer system and meters.Rehrig told Biechy that council has 100 percent faith in him as chief of police, and that if he needs any assistance, to contact the mayor.Last month, council accepted Traupman's resignation, and subsequently agreed to advertise for a part-time secretary.Money allocatedfor change ordersAlso on Wednesday, council approved to allocate $25,975 for fire station change orders.Borough manager Nicole Beckett gave a breakdown of the change orders as follows: $13,319 for heat lines in station 2, and water cooler; $6,241 for cable and wiring; $5,182 for miscellaneous close out items; and $1,233 for aluminum capping above the overhead doors of station 2.Beckett said the total change orders are the final change orders for the project, and added that the borough will receive final billing and will be releasing the retainage.She said that brought it to $88,735 in total project change orders, minus the paving, which came out to 2.7 percent of the total awarded construction, "Which I think is very commendable for a project of this size."Afterward, Rehrig asked what the procedures are for entering dwellings.Rehrig specifically mentioned dwellings on First Street with large portions of junk accumulating, which he believes to be a potential fire hazard.Beckett said she will speak with the borough fire chief next week to address the issue.