ASHLAND — The borough council and the police union agreed to a five-year contract that is retroactive to 2015.
The collective bargaining agreement was unanimously approved by the borough council at the February meeting. Its term is Jan. 1, 2015, to Dec. 31, 2019. Ashland police are represented by the Fraternal Order of Police North Schuylkill Lodge 25.
Borough Manager Raymond Jones Jr. said the contract is basically for the borough’s only full-time police officer, Chief Mark O’Hearn. The agreement provides for the following annual salary increases: $1,350 in 2015, $1,350 in 2016, $1,375 in 2017, $1,450 in 2018, and $1,450 in 2019. O’Hearn’s base salary in the previous contract ending in 2014 was $55,039.84.
The new contract also sets the base salary for a full-time patrolman at $47,500.
“That salary is implemented in an eight-year step plan to reach that salary,” Jones said. “So, the first year actually starts off at $35,625, and then goes up in eight years to $47,500.”
Jones said there is a change in health coverage involving contributions.
“Any full-time patrolman hired after Jan. 1, 2015, will pay identical to what non-uniform employees are contributing to their health care costs,” Jones said. “So basically their benefits will be the same as non-uniform.”
In other business, the borough council approved a proposal from Entech Engineering for $2,800 to complete and submit the annual Chapter 94 wastewater treatment plant report to the state Department of Environmental Protection. The annual report provides information to DEP about the intake and output at the sewage treatment plant.
The council voted to sell the 1992 International trash collection truck. One year ago, the borough council approved the purchase of a new 2015 Freightliner 20-yard diesel trash truck from Berman Freightliner, Leesport, and Eagle Truck Equipment Inc., Uwchland, for $146,214.23 through the state’s COSTARS program to replace the International that was in need of frequent repairs.
Girardville Borough made a request for the use of Ashland fire police for traffic control for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 19. The Ashland council approved the request.