Christmas preparation is in full swing in Nesquehoning thanks to a pair who wants to help the borough purchase new lights for the town.

On Wednesday, Suzanne Smith and Mary Theresa Hunsicker approached borough council to ask permission to start a Christmas Lights committee to raise funds for new lights in the borough. The Christmas lights adorn utility poles along Catawissa Street and on the hill going to New Columbus during the holiday season, but the years have taken a toll on the current lights."We think this year with the new Hometown Heroes flags, it would be the perfect opportunity," Smith said. "If family members spend that kind of money to pay tribute to their veterans, I think we owe it as a town to get decent Christmas lights."She said that the committee will go around to businesses in the borough to see if they would like to donate to the cause, noting that the lights cost approximately $300 each. She has a goal of purchasing 35 new lights for the town and about 10 to 12 for the New Columbus hill.Smith said that the committee has a limited amount of time to get the approximately $10,000 that is needed for all the lights, since the order should be placed in September to ensure the borough receives them in time for the holiday season, but added that if the full amount isn't raised in time, then it would become a multiyear project."Maybe we won't have enough to do the whole entire town, but if we get 20 lights then we start with 20 and work toward next year," she said. "I think most people would be in agreement that I would rather have a few really nice ones than 20, 30 or 40 bad ones."Borough council was receptive to the idea and granted the women permission to form the committee, with Councilman George Sabol also being added.An account with the borough will also be set up for donations from businesses and residents.If you would like to donate to the Christmas Lights committee, checks can be made payable to Nesquehoning Borough with "Christmas Lights" in the memo and sent to the borough hall at 114 W. Catawissa St., Nesquehoning, PA 18240.