Christiansburg Police Chief Mark Sisson swore in two new officers at Tuesday's town council meeting.

Chad Cannon, 23, and Allan Klein, 25, took the oath of office, bringing the number of sworn officers on the town's police force to 51.

Cannon, of Blacksburg, graduated in November from the Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy in Salem. Klein is still in training at the academy.

A graduate of Abingdon High School, Cannon has degrees from Virginia Highlands Community College and Old Dominion University. Sisson also noted that the officer is an Eagle Scout.

Klein, who now lives in Christiansburg, is originally from Arlington, Wash. He received his associate's degree from Florida's Pensacola Christian College. He and his wife, a Blacksburg native, have a 5-month-old son.

"We spend a great deal of money each year on our recruiting efforts," Sisson told the council, noting that he believes the officers represent the best in law enforcement recruits.

Also at Tuesday's meeting, the council approved a request by Thomas DeBusk to rezone land on South Franklin Street and Second Street from two-family and multifamily residential to central business. The property, approximately 1.49 acres, will be used only as residential or professional office space, per a proffer attached to the rezoning.

Council members also voted to sell the town's last available lot in the Christiansburg Industrial Park. The 4.7-acre lot is priced at $22,000 per acre.

Following a request by Bob Poff on behalf of Montgomery Museum, the council agreed to sponsor the museum's application for a Local Government Challenge Grant. The town allocates $5,000 each year to the museum. Museum director Rhonda Hale thanked the town for its support and reported that visitation at the museum increased by 22 percent in the past year.

Before adjourning, the council went into a closed session with Christiansburg businessman Joseph Simmons, citing discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real estate for a public purpose. No action was taken following the closed meeting.