Lansford Borough Council on Wednesday accepted two police resignations, including its chief’s, while taking steps toward bolstering its police force.

Police Chief Kyle Woodward on Monday announced his departure for another job opportunity, which he was unable to disclose.

The Tamaqua native and 21-year veteran of the Baltimore County Police Department in Maryland, plans to stay through the end of March to ease the transition.

Councilwoman Jennifer Staines was the lone no vote on Woodward’s resignation, saying that she didn’t want to see him leave.

Council President Bruce Markovich pointed out that they can’t make him stay, as did Councilwoman Michele Bartek, who was also saddened to see Woodward leave the borough.

Solicitor Bob Yurchak advised that Staines’ opposition was only symbolic.

Council also accepted the resignation of Officer Matthew Houser, effective Feb. 4, with regret. He has been on the borough’s force as regular full-time officer since August 2020.

Council did not take any action or discuss filling Woodward’s position, even though Markovich stated that council would like discuss or start a search for a new chief Wednesday.

Council did hire another part-time officer, Randy Schlatter, conditionally pending a background investigation and other testing.

The borough has hired two other part-timers, Danilo Garcia and Gilbert Diaz, in the past year.

The departures and pending hire will leave the borough’s police department with two full-time officers, Sgt. Shawn Nunemacher and Detective Josh Tom, and five part-time officers.

Council also took action on filling a seat on the Civil Service Commission, selecting John Zym. He was sworn in immediately after council’s meeting.

Bartek, who heads the public safety committee, said she will notify other civil service members that they need to reorganize and meet as soon as possible, as the borough has four officer candidates awaiting testing.

Council also approved Bartek to apply for a Local Law Enforcement Support Grant Program through Act 54 of 2022, which pays a portion of an officer’s Act 120 training, salary and other expenses.

Councilman Jack Soberick said the borough would need to pay the full salary of a potential officer while they are enrolled in the Act 120 training, and the grant would partial reimburse the borough.

Council began to debate the pros and cons of the grant, but withheld further discussion as the motion was just to apply for the grant, not how the borough would administer it.