By Jarrad Hedes

jmhedes@tnonline.com

Jim Thorpe Borough became the first municipality in Carbon County to switch from coin-operated parking meters to an electronic kiosk ticketing system earlier this year.

On Thursday night, police chief Joe Schatz led a “kiosk unveiling” ceremony, which drew local dignitaries including five council members, Mayor Mike Sofranko, borough Manager Maureen Sterner, meter attendant Sue Mulderig, Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency Vice President Michael Rivkin and state Rep. Doyle Heffley, among others.

“Back in 2016, the mayor and I realized the need for a change in our parking system,” Schatz said. “The coin-operated meters, we had 77 of them, were getting old. With the mayor being a Wildwood guy and myself traveling to Ocean City, Maryland, we started putting our heads together and came up with the parking kiosks.”

The kiosks themselves cost $65,100 with signs, a scanner and other fees, bringing the total tally to just over $81,000.

Out of that, the police department received a local share grant to cover $67,449.49, with the borough paying for the remaining $13,741.75.

Butts Ticket Company installed the seven parking kiosk machines throughout Broadway, Hazard Square and Susquehanna Street in late April.

“I think everyone that came out here tonight shows you the importance of parking in Jim Thorpe,” Sofranko said. “I know at times there is some frustration, but parking generates $120,000 per year, about a mill-and-a-half of taxes.”

After motorists park, they can follow signs to the kiosk stations and pay with cash, quarters, credit card and debit card. Once the machine dispenses a ticket, the motorist can place it on their dash and be on their way. Customers can also add time from the Whoosh mobile phone application if they are out and about.

“Locals were used to plugging the meters so there was an adjustment period there, but we have had nothing but praise from those visiting the town because they don’t have to carry around change or go to a business trying to get change,” Sofranko said.

Heffley and state Sen. John Yudichak worked together to secure the nearly $68,000 state grant, which came from gaming money, to help pay for the kiosks.

“In today’s day and age everything is going electronic,” Heffley said. “Everywhere you go you have your credit card with you or you can even pay by phone. Keeping up with the speed of that is important and these kiosks will certainly play a part in that. This is also about economic growth and making sure people can come here to park.

“A lot of people won’t stop because they don’t have quarters. I think this will help keep those parking spots full.”