The Alburtis Borough Police Officers Association and Alburtis borough representatives councilpersons John Aleszczyk, David Lehr and Kathleen Raines have been meeting with police negotiator Joe Vargo since June 19, 2014 to negotiate a new three-year, two-part contract including health insurance costs and salaries before the current contract expired Dec. 31, 2014.

The borough has heard nothing from the police since the last meeting with Vargo and senior police officers Dec. 11, 2014, the only meeting officers attended, leaving the possibility of settlement of this issue by arbitration, a costly process.

"I decided not to go public with this until we reached an impasse," Lehr said.

In addition to Chief Robert Palmer, Alburtis employs three full-time senior officers and six part-time officers. Alburtis Police Department's average hourly rate is currently $22.16 and the officers want an hourly wage of $24.50 like Coplay, Lehr said. This would require a 10.6 percent increase.

The reasoning on this is the boroughs of Alburtis and Coplay are both one square mile in size. Alburtis answers an average of 100 to 120 calls a month while the Coplay Police Department averages 250 calls a month in the summer and 150 to 180 calls other months, Lehr said.

Initially, borough council offered a 2.1 percent increase, if the borough could not get an agreement to help with health insurance. The borough's final offer provided two choices. The first choice equals a 9.3 percent increase over the life of the contract with a 3.1 percent salary increase for each of the three years; 2015, 2016 and 2017. Officers would contribute five percent toward the monthly cost of their health insurance premium and the borough would pay the $2,000 per member deductible or $4,000 for family deductible.

The second choice offered is a 3.5 percent salary increase for each of the three years. Officers would have to contribute five percent toward the monthly cost of their health insurance premium and $300 toward their $2,000 per member and $600 toward their $4,000 per family member with the balance of their deductible being paid by the borough.

Initially the union asked for a 10 percent salary increase for 2015; 8 percent for 2016; and 8 percent in 2017. The union next requested a 10.6 percent salary increase for 2015; 8 percent for 2016; and 8 percent for 2017. The union leadership later said a 6.2 percent salary increase for 2015; and $1 hourly increase for 2016; and $1 hourly increase for 2017 would be acceptable.

FInally, the union proposed a 4 percent increase per year with no contribution toward the cost of health insurance premiums in 2015 but would commit to contributing five percent a month toward the monthly cost of their health insurance premiums.

Council went into an executive session with Police Chief Robert Palmer and Mayor Kathleen Palmer 8 p.m. to discuss the contract and other employee issues.

The regular meeting reconvened 8:50 p.m.

"We are proud of the police department and the job they do. We felt we have given them a fair deal. We gave them what we could afford to give them. We made it perfectly clear at the last meeting they had until Dec. 29 [2014] to give us an answer. They have not answered," Steve Hill, council president, announced.

The police department has not responded and the contract could go into arbitration by April 15.

A motion was passed to adopt the general fund budget of $1,500,000 for 2015 showing a 3.5 percent raise for police officers and $477,145 budgeted for the police department.

Council adopted Ordinance No. 523 setting the real estate tax for 2015 the same as last year. The millage remains at 3.83 mills with 3.75 mills for the borough and .8 mills being held in escrow for the Alburtis Fire Department. There will be a 2 percent discount for early payers and a 10 percent penalty for late payers.

Quarterly garbage collection fees were reduced by $10. In 2014 it was $84 and in 2015 it will be $74. All other taxes and fees remain the same for 2015 as they were in 2014.

A motion was passed for a 3.1 percent salary increase from 2014 for each non-union maintenance employee for 2015.

Council adopted Resolution No. 2014-16 reducing police officer's contributions to the police pension plan from five percent for 2014 to four percent for 2015.

Council adopted Ordinance No. 524 after David Knerr, borough solicitor, reviewed the new 63-page health care plan and answered all questions. The plan includes borough employees and their spouses and dependents, if they are qualified, including office personnel, maintenance and police employees, uniformed and non-uniformed.

Minutes of the council meeting of Dec. 10, 2014, were unanimously approved with one typing correction. The bills for December were approved for payment and the treasurer's report was approved.

Council approved Fiscal Consultant Rose Nonnemacher's report and accepted with regret her resignation effective Dec. 31, 2014. Anyone interested in this position should contact Sharon Trexler, executive secretary, in the borough office.

A motion was passed approving a donation of $800 to Lehigh County Humane Society as requested for 2015. The amount is the same as it was for 2014.