Lehighton plans to absorb responsibilities that had been carried out by its sewer authority.

Borough Manager Dane DeWire told borough council last week that the sewer authority said they would be willing to continue to serve in some capacity.

It was noted that council didn’t need to do anything because the authority’s term has expired, though council could have them as some kind of an advisory committee.

Councilman John Kreitz said he didn’t know how it would be in the borough’s best interest to disband it.

Kreitz cited the PennVest loan, and added only the sewer authority can get that loan. However, borough solicitor Jim Nanovic noted that Jim Thorpe Borough got one.

Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky noted that the sewer authority met several times in the past year and have not received their stipends.

Councilman Steven Hawk said that with the limited amount of hookups the borough sees, he believes the borough’s engineer on staff can handle the situation.

Afterward, council agreed to approve the sewer connections that have been approved by the sewer authority since 2000.

Council also agreed to pay the sewer authority stipends for 2023 with this year’s budgeted money.

In November, council discussed dissolving the authority.