The Slatington Borough Council approved the hiring of Victor Alpizar as a part-time police officer at their regular meeting on Monday evening. He was welcomed to the police department by the council, Mayor Walter Niedermeyer and Police Chief David Rachman. Alpizar’s employment is effective as of Dec. 9.

The council also approved the resignation with regrets of officer Brian Stern, who had worked part-time for the department. Stern’s last day was Dec. 11.

In other business in the police department, the council approved to sell the 2001 Interceptor police car on Municibids. Council member Reed will research its value and place it for sale.

Rachman said the department will be sending out letters to businesses along the streets in the business district to remind them that vehicles are only allowed to park in a spot for two hours. The ordinance was adopted to keep parking spots open in front of businesses for patrons. The problem is that business owners and employees are parking all day in the spots instead.

“After the letter goes out, we’ll start enforcing it,” he said.

Both council Vice President Jason Ruff and Councilman Bryon Reed were concerned that a parking issue could make business owners decide to relocate.

“There has to be an alternative, because no one will want to have a business,” Reed said.

Ruff suggested offering a day permit to them for use in one of the borough’s parking lots, which are close to the business district. He wondered if people are not aware of the public lots.

The public lots are located on Main Street in the 600 block, another at the intersection of Main and Center streets, two on Walnut Street by the borough building, and the newest one is on Church Street.

“That’s the one not everyone knows about,” said Daniel Stevens, president of the council.