The head of Lehighton’s light and power department has cautioned borough officials of the need for pole replacement throughout town.

Borough L & P superintendent Barry Fisher told borough council on Monday there are at least two poles in question at Baer Memorial Park, including the lighting on the poles which is not in good condition.

The Booster Club and the Lehighton Downtown Initiative utilizes the space for various events throughout the year.

Fisher noted it’s been an area in the borough that’s been let go for some time, and believes it needs attention for public safety, as well as for comfort.

He then questioned if the borough really needs lighting and electric there, or if it wants to make it a day park, as he’s been told there’s a lot of activity there, both day and night.

“If it’s not safe for them to be there, then they probably shouldn’t be there,” Fisher said. “Don’t take it into next year like that; I don’t want to see anyone get hurt.”

Earlier in the meeting, Fisher noted his department is in the midst of doing pole replacement throughout the borough.

He said some poles date back to the 1960s, whereas the lifespan of a poles is about 40 years.

Fisher said after the meeting the borough has roughly between 1,500 to 1,600 poles in the borough.

Of those, he said about 400 are in question right now, with between 30 to 40 of them that need immediate attention, which they are working on as time permits.

Fisher said the department is looking into having a group come in to inspect them, possibly treat them.

After the meeting, he said they are working through a salesperson from Performance Electrical Products, who is offering a company named Exo who does inspection and assessment of poles and would then recommend which poles could be repaired, and which poles need to be removed immediately.

Linemen sought

Also on Monday, borough council unanimously agreed to advertise for two linemen, with certification preferable. If not, the borough will train the people.

Afterward, Fisher said he’d like to ask for two-year training, along with some type of electrical training.

If there is a new hire, he asked if there’s anyway the borough can retain them.

Before the vote, Councilman Joe Flickinger said his recommendation was to advertise for two positions.

It was noted there’s roughly a five-year time for the training to become a journeyman linemen.

“I appreciate the effort,” Fisher said. “It’s not going to help me now.”

Fisher said he could use a lineman.

Councilwoman Becky Worthy noted that council struggled last year getting linemen.

However, Worthy added the situation isn’t unique just to the borough.

Flickinger cautioned that if the borough doesn’t bring people in to get trained, then they’re not solving the problem.

He pointed out that while the borough advertises on its website for positions such as police officers, there isn’t anything there that they’re advertising for linemen.

Further, Flickinger said the borough can’t keep going on just two linemen.

Mayor Ryan Saunders noted it was previously advertised for general linemen.

After the meeting, Fisher said the department only has two official linemen who have completed the training,

He said two were recently hired groundsmen and one is apprentice lineman who is two years into the training process.