Greenville council Tuesday named a new fire chief and bookkeeper, but put off until Dec. 31 hiring a borough manager or inking labor contracts.

All that council would say about the new borough manager is that he will be paid $45,000, he's from Tennessee, and he has a family. He has accepted council's job offer but, at his request, council would not reveal his name until he is hired.

"The borough manager has a year-to-year contract that begins Jan. 1 and ends Dec. 31," said Councilman Richard S. Houpt. He added the new borough manager likely will want time off to move to Greenville so his son can begin a new semester in local schools.

Council will meet in closed session at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 to work out details of the new borough manager's contract.

The new borough manager will replace Peter D. Nicoloff Jr., whose resignation was effective Oct. 31.

Council also tabled until Dec. 31 approval of new labor agreements with Greenville-West Salem Township police, street-department workers, and sewage-treatment plant workers, as well as a three-year contract to provide police services to West Salem Township.

The contracts will be reviewed in regard to the 2002 budget, Houpt said.

"We have to make sure that the money is in the budget," said Councilman Bryan H. Shannon.

Council introduced a $3-million spending plan on Nov. 30 and plans to adopt the budget Dec. 31. "To look at it right now, it's a lot of numbers, and we have a lot of work to do on it," said Councilman Thomas L. McMurdy.

The evening was not a total loss, however.

Council promoted Greenville Fire Lt. Steven C. Thompson to fire chief at a salary to be determined. Thompson will succeed Walter "Chad" Sankey, whose retirement is effective Feb. 15.

Council also hired Tracey Vale, 64 Baker Road, Otter Creek Township, to be borough bookkeeper at a salary of $26,000. She will replace Treasurer Linda Crisman, who was elected tax collector.