Baer Memorial Swimming Pool in Lehighton will open as planned.

Council voted 5-1 vote, with Autumn Abelovsky opposed, to open the pool June 13.

Memberships and day passes will be available for Lehighton Area residents only, unless someone has an existing out-of-town membership.

Borough recreation director Tom Evans will serve as pandemic safety officer in light of the COVID-19 virus.

Councilman Donnie Rehrig asked how many people would be allowed in the pool at once, and suggested they should honor season pass holders.

Evans said that a maximum of 250 people at the pool would be the limit per day, and added there would be lock-ins.

He added that about one-third of the pool’s season pass members are out-of-town memberships.

However, Abelovsky questioned how many lifeguards there would be, and expressed reservations with the pool opening by that date.

Evans assured Abelovsky that safe sanitary measures would be practiced with regularity, and noted that the concession stand would have a limited menu.

He noted that Tamaqua plans to open its pool, while Palmerton expects to open around the Fourth of July.

Evans added that Mauch Chunk Lake Park is also thinking about opening this week, or if not, by next week.

That didn’t change Abelovsky’s stance.

“I just think it’s too much of an undertaking,” Abelovsky said.

Evans then shared his thoughts on the matter.

“Even for us, it’s just a lot easier if we keep it Carbon County,” Evans said. “If it’s only Lehighton, I’m worried if we’re going to make money.”

Rehrig said he believes it should be limited to Lehighton Area School District people and those from other communities who have previously purchased season passes in the past.

Evans said his concern is that if the pool doesn’t allow people from outside of Carbon County, the pool wouldn’t be able to make a profit.

On Tuesday afternoon, the borough posted on its Facebook page that the following rules and restrictions will apply:

• All patrons will be requested to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention behaviors that prevent the spread of COVID-19 found at the following link: https://bit.ly/2MvX6Sl.

• Pool management and staff will be following the CDC Guidelines for maintaining a healthy environment and healthy operations.

• Memberships and day passes will be limited to Lehighton area residents only who reside in the 18235 ZIP code. If you have an existing out-of-town membership, the borough will honor the pass along with issuing memberships of previous out-of-town members. There will be no new memberships or day passes issued for out-of-town residents.

• All pool passes will remain at the first discounted price on our application through the term of the summer.

• We plan on offering swim lessons, however the schedule may be modified or reduced.

• Attendance will be limited at the pool based on the restrictions placed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and CDC guidelines.

• Attendance at parties will be limited.

• If you wish to request a refund on your pool pass, please send an email to treasurer@lehightonborough.com or by mail P.O. Box 29, Lehighton, PA 18235 by June 12.

Anyone with questions should contact Evans at recreation@lehightonborough.com or 570-294-4532.

In a related matter, council on a 5-1 vote with Abelovsky opposed, agreed to hire Gauge Hartney and Brooke Zellner as lifeguards for the pool.

Councilman Joe Flickinger was absent.