Monday marked the start of Public Power Week, and Lehighton plans to observe it by offering the public a view of its new Light & Power building.

The building, located at 551 Bridge St., will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, according to borough manager Nicole Beckett."As far as Public Power Week, we will be offering refreshments at the new Light & Power Building to the public," Beckett said. "We are opening the doors to the public for an opportunity to meet the department, along with obtaining information on our municipal electric system."Beckett said the borough will celebrate and emphasize "the advantages of locally grown, locally owned power to our citizens.""We pride ourselves in the "one-stop-shop" in that you can speak to one local voice about water, sewer, electric, garbage and tax rates," she said. "This is what separates a municipal-owned electric system from an investor-owned utility, and it is probably the most valuable aspect of public power."Beckett said the borough is unique in that it is one of 35 communities in the state that distributes electricity to its community.Locally, it's one of two municipalities in Carbon County that actually has public power, with Weatherly being the other, she said.Beckett said the benefits associated with a municipal-owned electric company are community ownership, reliability, responsiveness, local presence, and a focused priority of public interest."We are local, we are reliable, and we provide quality service to our customers," she said. "Your utility dollars stay in the community; it creates jobs and supports the local economy."Beckett said the borough's L&P currently serves 2,418 residential customers, 542 commercial customers and four industrial customers.Additionally, she said the borough is a member of the American Public Power Association, Pennsylvania Municipal Electric Association and American Municipal Power.At present, Beckett said the department employs five full-time linemen, one part-timer laborer and three utility clerks."The borough is extremely proud of our electrical system and exemplary staff," she said.The 72-foot-by-105-foot pole building is an addition to the borough's existing Light & Power building.Beckett said "we are in the process of revising the design and seeking proposals for the completion of the project."Council in June of 2014 awarded a bid to C&E Ankiewicz, of Mountain Top, Luzerne County, in the amount of $487,082, to construct an addition to its Light & Power building.In August of 2014, council approved a change order for the Light & Power building, which was a credit of $9,513.With the credit, the cost of the building was $477,569.