Northampton Borough Council Vice President Robert McHale reported progress is being made with borough police to reach a new contract. He gave the update to council members at their Sept. 4 meeting, but did not rule out arbitration may be in the offing should the talks stall between the parties.

McHale, who is also the council's police committee chairman, observed while some issues were resolved in the negotiations with the police bargaining unit, other matters discussed have not reached an accord to date.

Borough Manager Gene Zarayko said earlier issues remain that separate both sides agreeing to a new police pact. The present contract with the 11 officers expires at the end of December.

Police cannot go on strike if there is no settlement by that date. The recourse for both sides, should the talks collapse, is binding arbitration. Reportedly the talks are not currently at such a stage. It is believed the new contract will be a three-year deal, as is the present contract.

Wages may not be the central issue. The talks could stall on the issue of the police contribution to its pension fund. There were some previous indications the officers were seeking a zero contribution to the pension fund, which could have been revised at several private meetings between both sides since then.

"For the police department, the total financial requirement is $176,979, of which the members are required to contribute 8 percent, or $70,218," Zarayko told the council.

"The borough would receive $77,000 from state aid and the borough's contribution would be 1.4 percent, or $29,761," he added. "We need to pass this, however, in negotiations with police, the police pension plan certification may have to be revisited.

Councilman Anthony Sr. Lopsonzski Sr., a retired borough police officer, will abstain from the vote.