A Lehighton business owner said she’d like to see more pride shown in the heart of the downtown.

Jennifer Solt-Cerato, owner of Jenny’s Sweets and More, told borough council on Monday she believes work should be done to better address the weeds in the lower park, which she referred to as the focal point of the town.

“We have more and more people coming to our town, and one of the things they say is ‘this is a really cute town,” Solt-Cerato said. “I’d like to see a little more pride in the heart of our town.”

Solt-Cerato then asked about a potential maintenance program to be able to keep up with the park.

Borough Manager Nicole Beckett noted that historically, volunteer groups have taken care of weeds in the Lower Park along with plantings.

Beckett said she has discussed the possibility of hiring a landscaper with council in the past along with the possibility of Main Street taking this on once the organization is no longer a steering committee.

She said she had talked to a local landscaper regarding a maintenance program and requested a proposal.

Beckett said she will reach out to additional landscapers for numbers and advice on what would be the best program for the park.

The figures will be presented to council, she said.

“We’re waiting on those numbers to see if it’s viable or not for our budget,” Beckett said.

ATVs

Also on Monday, council heard from resident Robert Reed, who resides on Coal Street and said there are lots of ATVs going up and down East Alley and Coal Street.

Reed said it’s kids between the ages of 12-14 who are riding the ATVs and are not licensed to do so.

“This goes on frequently,” Reed said.

Additionally, Reed said there are young children who go to the top of North Second Street and Coal Street, give a little push, and ride their push carts.

“They go past my property, and the kids go down in the alley,” he said. “One day, somebody’s going to get hit.”