Lehighton OKs street paving program

Lehighton has approved a proposed list of streets to be paved this year.

Borough council on Monday unanimously agreed to grant approval of the 2018 street paving program as funds become available.

Borough Manager Nicole Beckett said the proposed streets to be paved are:

• Bridge Street, Seventh Street to the new Light & Power building (repairs as needed).

• South Seventh Street, Iron Street to grove pavilion (cartway).

• North Third Street, Coal Street to North Street (cartway).

Additionally, Beckett said the South Second Street curbline remains a project in the borough’s budget and planning, while the Public Works Department has prioritized Constitution Avenue and North Second Street from Iron Street to Alum Street.

Also discussed as a priority were North and South Main Lane, if funds are available.

Beckett said council will need to determine allocation for the Special Highway Fund for 2018 Street Paving.

Currently, $100,000 is earmarked in the fund, however the borough will need to allocate for the Stedman Avenue project and Bridge Street Culverts, she said.

“I will be working with Public Works on the budget and project into the summer months,” Beckett said.

CDBG hearing

Kathy Reigel, of the Carbon County Office of Planning and Development, met with council this week as part of the borough’s first Community Development Block Grant hearing.

The current anticipated amount for the borough for fiscal year 2018 is $77,202 in project costs and $16,946 in administrative costs, with a total grant of $94,148.

Council has not selected a project for the 2018 funds.

The pre-application is due in mid-May.