ZELIENOPLE — The borough's public works department has had a difficult time finding applicants to fill two part-time positions over the past year.

On Monday, borough council voted to turn those two slots into one full-time position in an effort to fill the void.

According to borough Manager Don Pepe, there has been a “significant problem” in filling the part-time positions. He said he worked with Public Works Director Chad Garland to determine that one full-time worker would cost nearly $6,000 less per year, and the position would likely draw more applicants.

“It just makes more sense,” he said. “We think we'll get a much more qualified group (of applicants).”

Garland said the two part-time slots were general labor positions, and were utilized in the electric, streets and water departments. He said the full-time position would be the same. He noted the department has been short handed for nearly a year.

“If we get one, it'll bring our staff to a reasonable level,” he said. Garland added seasonal employees will also help pick up the load in the coming months.

Fee schedule

The borough is in the process of placing all of its fees into one comprehensive fee schedule, Pepe said.

He said as fees have been added or changed over the years, they became scattered. Borough staff pulled all of those fees together into one ordinance. They will be able to then change things via a resolution, Pepe said.

Pepe noted that no fees are changing with the move.

“We just consolidated them all into one document,” he said.

Council also met in executive session Monday to discuss a performance evaluation for Pepe.