Lehighton rejects revisions to sidewalks, snow removal ordinance

Lehighton will not make revisions to its sidewalk ordinance and snow shoveling ordinance after all.

On a 5-2 vote, borough council on Monday rejected a motion to adopt the ordinance amending the sidewalk ordinance as it pertains to snow and ice removal. Councilwomen Autumn Abelovsky and Lisa Perry were in favor.

Council’s decision comes after it agreed on a 4-3 measure last month to advertise an amendment to the borough’s sidewalk ordinance with Abelovsky, Perry and Councilmen Joe Flickinger and Ryan Saunders in favor, and Councilmen Jared McEvoy and Darryl Arner and council President Grant Hunsicker opposed.

After the vote, Hunsicker was adamant concerning his expectations.

At that time, Hunsicker said he didn’t believe the borough could clean its property within 48 hours, therefore, it shouldn’t ticket residents who don’t have their properties cleaned.

Hunsicker also said the borough should have a crosswalk at 12th Street, but added the borough isn’t allowed to have one there.

He then suggested someone go to the next school board meeting to discuss the matter with the district.

Abelovsky noted that the borough has offered a crosswalk, as there have been concerns addressed about people crossing Mahoning Street from 12th Street instead of using the crosswalk at 11th Street.

Further, she said she believes the borough should offer an ordinance to clear a 36-inch-wide path.

The amendments to the ordinance would have addressed properties which do not have sidewalks.

Beckett said the language “in the absence of a sidewalk, a 36-inch walkway path adjacent to the curb and street” defines a walking path. Snow and ice would be required to be removed from sidewalks and walking paths.

She said the current sidewalk ordinance stated sidewalks would need to be cleared with a minimum of 36 inches. The amendments now define a pathway as well.

Council’s decision comes after it agreed on a 3-1 vote at a special meeting in January to approve the advertisement to amend sections of the ordinances, with Abelovsky, Saunders and Perry in favor and Hunsicker opposed.

Hunsicker said at that time the borough has properties “all over the place” where people would have to shovel 36-inch-wide paths.

After further discussion, it was then decided that council would hold off on approving the matter until the full slate of council members were able to vote on the matter.

In April, Abelovsky asked to make revisions to the borough’s sidewalk ordinance and snow removal ordinance.

Abelovsky said doing so would not only lend to the safety of the borough for pedestrians, but also add to the curb appeal of the homes.