Michael Choley is the new Civil Defense of Mauch Chunk Township, having been appointed last night by the board of supervisors. He succeeds Police Chief Harold Billig, who resigned recently because of the press of police duties.

Choley, who had served as assistant to Billig, will assume his new post on Dec. 13.

William Schmidt, Jim Thorpe, Civil Defense director of Carbon County, reported to the supervisors the township is eligible to purchase surplus property and receive federal matching funds for such equipment. Choley and Billig will visit Harrisburg on Dec. 12 to attend a surplus property sale of Civil Defense equipment.