When Lehighton's new police station is completed - probably in April or May - it will be named after a former mayor and councilman, the late Wilbur A. Bauchspies.

This week Lehighton Borough Council voted unanimously to name the facility the "Wilbur A. 'Cap' Bauchspies Borough of Lehighton Police Station."Bauchspies, who died May 13 at the age of 81 while serving as a member the borough council, had been mayor for 28 years beginning in 1969. The mayor is in charge of the police department.He had been a member of Lehighton Borough Council for 14 years.His wife, Bessie, is currently a member of the borough council.His son-in-law, Lee Getz, was appointed to the vacancy which occurred when Bauchspies died.Bauchspies was also involved in many community organizations, as well as serving on church council and Sunday School superintendent in Grace Lutheran Church, Lehighton.He was a veteran of World War II.The new police station will be located in the former Engine Company 2 Building on South Third Street, which now serves as Station 2 of the Lehighton Fire Department.The fire department will continue utilizing parts of the structure for Station 2, but has given the borough permission to have the meeting room in that structure converted into a new police department.For years the borough has been attempting to find a location for the police department, agreeing that the present headquarters for police in the Municipal Building is too small.The new police station project is expected to cost $261,298.19, with financing coming from a state grant.The general construction contractor is F. J. Lesher of Palmerton.