Lehighton’s mayor can in fact use vacant office space inside borough hall.

On a narrow 4-3 vote, borough council on Monday agreed to allow Mayor Clark Ritter to use the office located next to borough Manager Nicole Beckett.

Councilmen Ryan Saunders and Darryl Arner, along with councilwomen Autumn Abelovsky and Lisa Perry were in favor. Councilmen Donald Rehrig, Joe Flickinger and council President Grant Hunsicker opposed.

Earlier in December, council tabled the matter because it did not have its full slate of council members on hand.

That marked the second consecutive month the issue had to be tabled after council in November initially deadlocked on a vote to let Mayor Clark Ritter use an office located next to the borough manager.

Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky asked at November’s meeting for Ritter to be able to use an empty office next to Beckett during discussion on the use of space in borough hall.

However, Flickinger said at that time he was against the idea. He argued that most wear many hats and perform many duties without their own office space, felt it wasn’t necessary, and planned to vote against it.

Abelovsky said at that time 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.

Further, Abelovsky said at that time 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.

Ritter told council at that time 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.

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 Hunsicker, Rehrig and Flickinger. Saunders, Arner and Abelovsky, were in opposition. Perry was absent.

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

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

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, and council agreed to table the issue until the final December meeting when it was anticipated it would have its full slate of council members on hand.

That didn’t happen though, as council tabled the matter at that time due to the fact it once again did not have its full slate of council members on hand, as Flickinger was absent.