Lehighton has taken a pass on a proposal to add electric vehicle charging stations downtown.

Councilman Ryan Saunders said at Monday’s borough council meeting that he didn’t believe there would be enough of a return on the borough’s investments.

Saunders said he didn’t think that council should pursue the matter.

Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky said she believes it would be prudent for the borough to eventually work on the parking lot across the street from Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard.

“I think that would maybe be our first step,” Abelovsky said. “I think that’s going to be our first step when we have money.”

Last month, council tabled the matter after former borough Manager Steve Travers said that they had estimates, and could do the installation themselves.

Travers, who was let go after an executive session later that evening, said he was approached by Eco-G which has an interest in partnering with the borough to put in EV charging stations.

He said the borough received a grant for charging stations, and that he could start communicating with them regarding what a partnership might look like.

Charging stations at the D&L parking lot and the parking lot across the street were discussed.

Potential costs associated with the charging stations didn’t sit well with council, as Councilwoman Lisa Perry said the borough didn’t budget for it.