Two local police departments are looking to move to better quarters this year.

Franklin Township and Palmerton Borough have discussed proposed new police stations. Lansford has also discussed moving its police station.

Mahoning Township police now operate out of the former Diaz building just west of Normal Square.

In December, Franklin Township Supervisors agreed to seek out bond counsel and a grant writer to assist with its proposed new administration and police office building.

Larry Diehl is heading a committee to oversee a new administration and police office building. The committee includes Stan Graver, Kirk Cressley, Daniel Zeigler, Terry Shaner, Leon Kamowaki, Ty Poole and Diehl.

Board Chairman Fred Kemmerer Jr. said the board believes the committee will add perspective and bring input from the community.

The township wants to have enough room to accommodate eight police officers, administration, zoning officer, zoning hearing board and/or supervisors for when they have to go into executive session.

The current township building is 2,800 square feet.

The township would build a new 7,500-square-foot building in between the former Hobby Shop site and current administration office.

Palmerton Borough Council recently approved a resolution for a $1 million Local Share Account Statewide grant for a new police station.

Funding was awarded through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, which allots money to economic development projects that have a regional impact.

Borough council broke for a brief executive session during that meeting to discuss land matters. No action was taken when council returned.

The lot from the former Palmerton Hospital has been discussed as a site.

St. Luke’s has committed to donating the land to the borough.

Borough Manager Autumn Canfield said the borough has been working with St. Luke’s, but that they didn’t yet have an agreement in hand.

Keystone Consulting Engineers has recommended new construction over repairing the station, located in a former New Jersey Zinc building at the corner of Delaware Avenue and Fourth Street.

Council member Kris Hoffner earlier this year suggested looking into the far east-end of the Northface Development in Palmerton, the site of the former New Jersey Zinc West Plant.

Council previously said the cost for a potential 5,000-square-foot building would be about $1 million.

The borough has been looking at the possibility of reclaiming space rented by Carbon County’s Area Agency on Aging for use of its police department.

Police moved into the former lab building in 2000.

New headquarters

Mahoning Township’s new headquarters is located on about 14 acres of land at 2175 Blakeslee Blvd. Drive West.

The total project cost about $1.3 million.

The building features 5,300-square-feet upstairs, and 6,300-square feet downstairs.

The police department uses the lower level, with the township offices on the second floor.

Aside from the township’s administrative offices, there is also a board meeting room, executive session room, filing room, kitchenette, and zoning and sewage enforcement officer office.

The police department has office space, holding cells, and an evidence room, among other features.

The former medical office was purchased in July 2021 for $375,000. The building and land was assessed at $595,000.

The township’s former building was constructed in 1969. The supervisors’ meeting area had been on one side and Mahoning’s police force on the other.