Lehighton hears more complaints about parking

A Lehighton businesswoman has again addressed borough council about parking on First Street.

Jennifer Solt-Cerato, owner of Jenny’s Sweets & More, at 114 S. First St., originally brought the matter to council in February.

She told council last week that she has put a survey together and spoken with people to get their take on the current parking situation.

Among their complaints were bus pickup and drop-off in front of Jenny’s twice a week; other folks parking and holding First Street hostage; random parking; being asked to park elsewhere; and specialty versus necessity.

“Jenny’s is a specialty store,” said Solt-Cerato, adding that customers want to get in and out. “They rush for a close parking space to be able to do so.”

Solt-Cerato said that she “strongly requested” that bus companies find a different place to park. She requested eye-catching parking signs be placed on First Street, with time limits on parking spaces with one- or two-hour parking.

She suggested ways that North First Street and South First Street along the lower park can return to annual parking instead of parallel parking.

“Instead of parking meters, I strongly would suggest time limits,” she said.

Councilman Donnie Rehrig said council could consider the parking time limits.

However, Rehrig noted the solution’s “not going to be done overnight.”

Parking meters in downtown Lehighton was a hot topic of conversation in the spring.

In April, Borough Manager Nicole Beckett provided cost data for updating the parking meters.

Beckett told council at that time she received proposals from CivicSmart, Butts Tickets and IPS.

For coin/credit card meters, Beckett said prices ranged from $275 per meter to $450 per meter, while kiosks ranged from $6,050 to $8,700.

Beckett said it is estimated that seven to 10 kiosks would be needed if the borough were to go that route.

She said they estimated 75 meters based on the existing meters in the downtown.

The borough’s existing meters are 30 minutes for each quarter from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday excluding holidays.

A committee was formed to discuss the parking meters, cost and options available.

Ryan Saunders and Lisa Perry volunteered to serve on the committee.

In 2011, the borough purchased 25 meter mechanisms, and they were about $160 at that time.

Beckett said the parking meters had previously been removed from sections of North First Street before her time.

She said the borough had removed meters around the lower park during the construction project to allow for free parking, and because of costs associated with replacing the existing meters.