The head of Lehighton remains without an office despite a request to utilize vacant space inside borough hall.

Borough council tabled the matter on Monday after it initially deadlocked on a vote to let Mayor Clark Ritter use an office located next to the borough manager.

Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky asked for Ritter to be able to use an empty office next to borough Manager Nicole Beckett during discussion on the use of space in borough hall.

“The recommendation was for the mayor to have an office,” Abelovsky said.

However, Councilman Joe Flickinger didn’t quite see things that way.

“I am absolutely against it,” said Flickinger, who added most wear many hats and perform many duties without their own office space. “I do not think it’s needed, and I will be voting against it.”

Abelovsky said that historically, the borough mayor has had an office, though it’s been some time. It’s believed the last time that was the case was when the police department was still located in the borough building.

“Ideally it would be in the police station,” she said. “Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of room.”

Further, Abelovsky said she believes it would behoove the borough for Ritter to have his own office so that visitors would have a formal place to meet with him.

“I just think this would be a good way to go about it,” she said.

Flickinger then reiterated his stance.

Ritter told council he’s been meeting with visitors in the borough’s police station.

Borough police Chief Brian Biechy noted the office where Ritter has met with people gets used by police from time to time for interviewing.

“That room gets used by us sporadically,” Biechy said.

Flickinger then made a motion to reject the proposal for the mayor’s office at borough hall.

Those who voted to reject the proposal were council President Grant Hunsicker, Councilman Donnie Rehrig and Flickinger. Councilmen Ryan Saunders and Darryl Arner, along with Abelovsky, were in opposition.

After the vote, Abelovsky said she was not asking to advocate only for the mayor, but that it was for the community.

“I think it would be nice to have an office (for people to meet with the mayor),” she said.

Saunders said he believes the idea for the mayor to have his own office “just makes it more formal.”

“It’s to be more formal, as opposed to saying ‘come and meet me at my (the mayor’s) house,’?” Saunders said.

“It’s an opportunity to have the mayor more out there.”

In light of the standstill, council looked to Ritter in his capacity as mayor to break the tie.

Instead, Ritter opted not to vote on the matter.

Afterward, council agreed to table the issue until next month’s meeting when it has its full slate of council members on hand.

Councilwoman Lisa Perry was absent.