The face of Lehighton’s police force has received a new two-year deal that calls for a 4% raise in his salary in year one.

On a 5-0 measure, borough council after a near 30-minute executive session on Monday approved police Chief Troy Abelovsky’s 2026-27 employment contract. Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky abstained from the vote because she is Troy’s wife.

Abelovsky’s new salary will be $114,650 in 2026. The patrolman contract is being negotiated spring/summer, and Abelovsky’s 2027 salary will match whatever is negotiated for his patrolmen, borough Manager Dane DeWire said after the meeting.

“I think my performance has spoken for itself,” Abelovsky said.

Mayor Ryan Saunders vouched for Abelovsky, noting that he’s taken on patrols when officers have been out.

“Your outreaching from the community has been outstanding,” Saunders said. “I’m very proud to be working with you.”

DeWire concurred.

“I can lean on chief for anything,” said DeWire, who noted Abelovsky has been great to work with.

Councilwoman Dr. Jordyn Miller was absent.

Abelovsky was hired by council on a 5-0 vote in November 2023 as the borough’s new police chief.

He was hired under the terms of a one-year contract at a salary of $100,000, prorated through the end of that year.

The contract called for a 4% raise in 2024, which pushed his salary to $104,000.

Last year, council approved a 6% raise in his salary as part of the 2025 employment contract.

That raised his salary to $110,240.

Abelovsky replaced former borough police Chief Joe Sparich, for whom council accepted his resignation in September 2023.

Sparich was appointed as police chief by council on a 3-2 measure in July 2022 at a salary of $95,000.

Cpl. Bruce Broyles had been officer-in-charge before Abelovsky was hired as police chief.