SLIPPERY ROCK — Borough council hired a new part-time zoning and code enforcement officer at Tuesday's meeting.

Christian Lackey, a borough homeowner and student at Slippery Rock University, was hired for the position.

Council member Gene Allison said the intention is for him to replace the current officer, Pat Kelly.

Allison said Lackey will train with Kelly over the next few months before Kelly formally resigns.

Allison said the part-time position allows for up to 30 hours of work per week at a rate of $15 per hour.

With Lackey's hiring, council also voted to resign the new officer from the seat he held on the planning commission.

“We had to resign his position on the commission because he's an employee now,” Allison said.

Allison said council is taking applications to reappoint the planning commission seat.

Hiring a new zoning and code enforcement officer has been a top priority for council over the past few months.

“I've probably got more complaints on this than 90 percent of the issues we handled,” Allison said.

Borough council had advertised to fill the position before and received eight applications, but none of those were the right fit at the time, according to Allison.

Allison said Lackey doesn't have any experience in the role, but that could also make him easier to train.

Mayor Jondavid Longo said he has already been impressed by Lackey as a member of the community.

“I am glad to have him and commend the borough council on hiring him,” Longo said. “I know as a borough homeowner and member of the university community, Christian has made an investment in our town. “

Longo said during the time that Lackey and Kelly work together, he believes they will do the same amount of work and possibly more than that of one full-time employee.

“I'd say I hope he translates that investment into his new role, but he has already done that,” Longo said. “He is a go-getter and a self-starter. He is going to make a great addition to our team.”

Lackey, who was only available briefly on Friday, said he will work in the borough office next week.