The Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners last Monday ratified a three-year-contract for 44 township police officers. The three-year agreement calls for a 2.5-percent raise in 2014, 2.75-percent pay hike in 2015 and 2.65-percent salary boost in 2016.

Deputy Mayor Jack Meyers, instrumental during the police bargaining discussions, said the talks went smoothly and focused on attaining a contract fair to both the police officers and the township.

Mayor Edward Hozza Jr. echoed Meyers in saying the talks were cordial and without confrontation.

Starting in 2014, the renewed contract provides for a new officer to be paid a $59,461 annual salary, compared to $53,430 this year.

Most officers designated as patrolmen will have an annual salary in 2014 of $74,385, which represents an increase from $72,571 in 2013.

Shift differential pay for officers was increased by $200.

Sick day accumulation remains unchanged for police officers already on the rolls with the township.

However, new officers will be able to accumulate three less sick days.

Police will pay 20 percent of the health insurance premium, according to the contract.

It also calls for health benefits to continue for spouses after officers retire.

Officers will have increased comp time allotted in cases where vacations may have been used in the past.

"Both parties were professional," Meyers said of the bargaining talks.

Contract sessions exhibited a mutual respect between both parties, he added.