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HAZLETON &#8212; The city council approved the hiring of three police officers Tuesday night along with the retirement of two others.Mayor Jeff Cusat said the recently hired officers would likely work under a set of concessions made by the department that do not necessitate opening the contract which will be up in two years.Several council members said it is unclear as to whether the newly hired officers would work under concessions which include a reduction in starting salaries and agreement to work 12-hour shifts. They referred to paperwork provided by the mayor that seem to indicate the concessions require the hiring of more officers before being applicable.Solicitor Donald Karpovich said the council, having hired the officers, would save the city money if the concessions are approved.Although the council went off the agenda to discuss the concessions, they did not vote on them but indicated they would likely do so at the next meeting.Resident Judy Yurcho, addressing council, said, &#8220;I&#8217;m all for the hiring of new police officers, but not on the backs of the taxpayers.&#8221;Cusat said the expense is necessary to keep the city safe.Councilman David Sosar said the city needs to take into consideration the long range cost of hiring new officers, including health benefits and pension costs.Acting police chief Jerry Speziale said he is in the process of applying for a Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant for the funding of employing additional officers.According to Speziale, the grant requires the department to hire three officers and have a total of 40 in the department to be eligible to apply for two additional officers salaries and benefits for three years.Both Speziale and Cusat said the force should ideally have 44 members, with 32 patrol officers.In another matter, the council tabled an ordinance requiring mortgage holders and property owners to register and maintain abandoned properties.Resident Mark Rabo said the ordinance was originally slated to be combined with a door/window ordinance directing doors and windows of properties be maintained in working order.&#8220;I don&#8217;t see any language in the ordinance indicating this,&#8221; said Rabo.Karpovich said he believes the ordinance should be reviewed in a work session so it would not be perceived as being drafted unilaterally.The council did approve an ordinance providing penalties for violations of the property maintenance code, allowing code enforcement to select either civil or summary proceedings.&#8220;We had previously adopted the code, but with no penalties for violating it,&#8221; said Karpovich.During discussion which followed the meeting, Councilman David Sosar asked the mayor to identify the position of Joe Zeller.Cusat said Zeller was originally slated to be his executive assistant, but is now functioning as Economic Development Director.&#8220;He was called on in January to act as head of community development during someone&#8217;s 90 days of maternity leave,&#8221; Cusat said.Resident Dee Deakos asked the council why it did not have the benefit of the attendance of city administrator Tom Pribula at recent at meetings.&#8220;We have the benefit of legal advice from Mr. Karpovich,&#8221; Deakos said. &#8220;But, we also need financial advice from Mr. Pribula.&#8221;&#8220;I didn&#8217;t ask him to be here,&#8221; Cusat said of Pribula.<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By Geri Gibbonsggibbons@www.timesleader.com</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons</shirttailMeta></div>

Hazleton City Council members approve the hiring of three police officers