Lehighton has beefed up its police ranks with the hiring of two full-time officers.

Following an executive session, borough council on Monday agreed to hire Joel Gulla and Trevin Green to the police department's full-time ranks.Their hirings are pending the pre-employment process, effective July 1.The base salary for an entry-level police officer is $46,295, according to borough Manager Nicole Beckett.After four years of service, the base salary is $61,726. However, those salaries are subject to change due to administrative/F.O.P. union negotiations.Officers are also entitled to an employee benefits package and scheduled longevity increases.Gulla has worked part time for the borough police department since May 2011.Beckett said the hirings were based on the borough Civil Service Commission's updated eligibility list.She said the borough has accounted for the positions in this year's budget, as one of the hirings is essentially to replace Sgt. Joe Lawrence, who retired.It was stated that bringing on another full-timer would cost the borough $110,000 in wages and benefits, according to discussion at recent meetings.Beckett said the hirings will give the borough's police department 11 full-time officers. The borough has a population of 5,500 residents."With the growth of the borough, the additional officers will be necessary, in addition to the existing need," Beckett said. "We appreciate all the civil service has done."Borough police Chief Brian Biechy previously cited the increased activity that is expected to be generated due to the new St. Luke's Medical Center in Lehighton, located on Ninth Street just off Route 443, the soon-to-come Lehighton Outdoor Center located along Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard, and the K-5 elementary center on Lehighton Area School District's main campus, as reasons to add an extra officer.Also on Monday, council agreed to submit the COPS Hiring Program Grant Application, and hired Noah Rodgers and Dominic Bierman as lifeguards for the 2017 swim season.