Lehighton Borough Council has tabbed an interim business manager on the heels of the resignation of its former borough manager.

After a near two-hour executive session, council on a 5-1 vote Monday named Brooke Lichtenwalter to the post, with a monthly stipend of $1,850 above her regular assistant borough manager salary.

Councilman Joe Flickinger, who voted against the measure, after the meeting declined to comment why he was against the move. Councilwoman Becky Worthy was absent.

After the meeting, Lichtenwalter said that she was excited for the opportunity.

“I’m just happy to be selected as interim business manager,” Lichtenwalter said. “I want to keep pushing the borough forward, and am just looking forward to serving the residents and my staff.

“My focus will be on maintaining stability, and keeping the borough operations moving forward, and working with council, staff and our community.”

Lichtenwalter said that there’s a lot more cross-training between herself, the borough treasurer, and the new borough secretary, “so we can jump into each other’s roles easier, and we try to streamline things.”

As interim borough manager, Lichtenwalter’s salary will be around $80,000.

In September 2025, borough council made separate motions to hire the top candidate for the newly created assistant borough manager position, as well as a treasurer position.

Lichtenwalter accepted the newly created assistant borough manager position at the rate of $58,000.

Before accepting that position, Lichtenwalter had served as secretary/treasurer in Washington Township.

In February, council on a 5-1 vote approved a $2,500 bonus to both the assistant borough manager, as well as treasurer. Flickinger was opposed.

Lichtenwalter takes over as interim business manager in the wake of the resignation of former borough Manager Dane DeWire, which was effective Sept. 5.

At council’s reorganization meeting in January, DeWire was appointed as borough manager on a 5-2 vote, with councilmen Grant Hunsicker and Flickinger opposed.