Whitehall Township Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. reported at the board of commissioners meeting Monday night that 500 persons have applied for a vacant police service aide position with the township.

Hozza, now in his second term in office, also said there had been 150 employees on the township’s payroll, but the number has shrunk to 99 persons, mostly because of retirements.

The openings, Hozza said, appear in all departments - police, public works and others.

With this large number of vacancies, the number of applicants has increased - a situation Hozza likened to a “tsunami.”

On the search for a fire chief, Hozza said after extensive interviews, a final candidate has tentatively risen to the top. The appointment, Hozza said, should be officially named shortly. Hozza said the board will be pleased with the selection. This vacancy of a fire chief role resulted from the death of Robert Benner, who served the township for 30-plus years.

Joseph Shambo currently is the acting fire chief but has not submitted his name for consideration for the full-time post.

Michael J. Marks continues as acting township police chief after the spring retirement of Linda Kulp.