The North Catasauqua Borough Council approved the addition of three part-time police officers to the borough police department at its Sept. 10 meeting. Police Chief Kim Moyer requested approval for hiring Eric Shaffer, Christopher Wolfer and Ryan Emerich.

The additional staffing brings the police department staff to five full-time and five part-time officers.

Council President Joseph Keglovits mentioned police officers have been working a lot of overtime hours recently because of a staffing shortage.

Keglovits reported the police department computers were recently replaced at a cost of $3,500.

The old ones crashed, he said.

"It shut down the police department," he said. "We didn't have any choice."

Keglovits also brought up for discussion the possibility of hiring a full-time employee for the public works department. Currently, the borough employs two part-time road crew members.

The borough council's public works committee will interview the two part-time employees about the possibility of one of them taking the full-time supervisory position.

Councilman Shawn McGinley, who is also president of the borough Charotin Hose Company, reported a Blue Monkey Night is planned for Oct. 3. On this evening, residents who dine at the Blue Monkey Sports Bar in North Catasauqua will have a portion of their bill donated by the restaurant to the fire company. In observance of October as Fire Safety Month, fire trucks will be on display at the restaurant.

Assistant Fire Chief Erik Hirner said he is preparing to advertise the opening of bidding for the pumper truck the fire department is selling at the end of the year. After some discussion, it was decided to call for a minimum bid of $35,000. The bidding will be advertised in "Pennsylvania Fireman" magazine, with bids due by Oct. 10. The fire department expects delivery of a new pumper truck with ladder apparatus at the end of the year.

Council members also approved the cost of re-outfitting a retired police car for use by Fire Chief Francis Hadik. The cost to remove police lights, radio and markings and to replace them with lights and equipment for the fire chief is estimated at $6,000. The 2007 Ford Expedition is expected to be used by the chief for about 10 years. His old car will be sold.

Mayor Bill Molchany Jr. reported two new fire police have been sworn in. Matt Taylor and Aimee Amari are now working under the direction of Fire Police Captain Matt Boothe.

The camper trailer once used by volunteers who collected recyclables on the lot at the borough's Main Street facility has now been sold to the highest bidder. Keglovits opened two bids for the trailer at the meeting. Scott Grube was the high bidder at $401. A second bid at $330 was also submitted. Council approved the sale to Grube.

Also at the meeting, council decided to have its finance committee review how retirement benefits are calculated for non-uniformed borough employees . During an actuarial review, it was recommended that the pension plan for these employees be reviewed. Keglovits said the committee will consider whether retirement benefits should begin paying out at age 65, as the plan states now, or whether pension benefits should be based on years of service instead of the retiree's age.

Borough treasurer noted that these benefits do not affect police department employees, whose retirement benefits are mandated by the state.