The Niles Township Fire Department will be getting new locks at its station on South Third Street.

The township’s board of trustees approved the purchase of new locks from the Lazzaro Company out of Merrillville, Ind., during Monday’s regular meeting. Lazzaro submitted the low bid of $6,500.

“Even though it seems expensive, it seems to be the cheapest out there,” said Jim Ringler, township treasurer.

The new lock system will be the same type of system currently in use.

“It’s a mechanical, key pad, key fob or key — there are three ways you can enter the station at all the different entry points,” Ringler said.

The bids were collected by fire chief Gary Brovold.

The board had an opportunity to vote on this issue in June, but tabled the decision to explore other options. After consulting with another lock company, the township determined Lazzaro was the least expensive and best option.

Ringler said the lifespan on the lock system is around 10 years.

In other business, the board:

• Approved a $500 wage increase for John Hess, a staff member for the township’s Department of Public Works. Ringler said it is customary for DPW employees to get a $500 increase once they’ve received their commercial driver’s license, as Hess has.

• Approved the purchase of a postage machine for $3,595 with an annual maintenance fee of $400 a year.

• Rehired Justin Lakes as a volunteer firefighter. Ringler said Lakes moved to Mississippi for a job but has since returned to the Niles area.

• Approved an actuarial valuation report of the township’s pension funds for employees of the fire departments. The report is done every two years. According to the report, the township’s pension fund is 70 percent funded. Township Clerk Terry Eull said the underfunded portion is being spread over 20 years.

• Heard the fire department has been awarded a semitractor from the state’s Department of Natural Resources. Ringler said the truck would replace the semitractor for the current tanker truck. It comes at no cost.