The Lehighton Borough Council last night took the recommendation of the local Police Civil Service Commission and hired Frederick R. Scott as the community’s new chief of police.

The hiring came on a 5-1 vote, with council members Wilbur Bauchspies, William Noll, Lee Getz, Robert Moser and Terry Stein favoring the appointment. Councilman Grant Hunsicker voted “no.”

Scott, a 29-year member of the force, succeeds Edward Hutto, who died on Sept. 2. The new chief will be on a six-month probation period during which time he will be evaluated by the council and Mayor Miles Haberman.