Weissport Council members Brenda Leiby, Thomas Ketchledge and Greg May discussed upgrading the quality of the borough’s camera technology in the park by upgrading its software to a higher resolution that also features security footage playback for up to 90 days.

In addition to the upgrade, a brand-new camera is likely to be purchased and installed for greater coverage of the area.

The heightened playback quality may potentially assist in identifying vandals in the future but hopefully deter property damage crimes overall.

Council also agreed to obtain pricing for new railroad ties for use outside the perimeter of the playground area.

Director Ketchledge announced the date of the upcoming levee inspection in the borough. Levee inspection will be performed on April 13, by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Fair districts

Roy Christman spoke on behalf of the Fair Districts of Pennsylvania, whose concern acts as a political watchdog to gerrymandering in and around Carbon County.

Gerrymandering is when a political group tries to change a voting district to create a result that hurts the opposing group.

Christman requested that the Weissport council members support legislative efforts to amend the state constitution and assign the task of redistricting to an independent citizens’ commission.

Christman emphasized the detriment of our representative democracy and the need to ensure fair, transparent and accurate legislative and congressional redistrict processes that respect political subdivisions while prohibiting districts from being drawn to favoritism or discrimination.

The plan, he explained, would lead to the appointment of four Republicans, four Democrats and three people claiming no political affiliation or identity. Those appointed would come together in an effort to freeze gerrymandering’s often times significant effects on election outcomes in our local districts. Christman expressed initiating enough support to ask legislation that a resolution be passed in both the House and Senate.

Christman has attended several townships and municipalities promoting his call to action.

Mahoning, Penn Forest, Franklin, Packer, Towamensing and Lower Towamensing townships have agreed.

Summit Hill, Lansford, Nesquehoning, Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Bowmanstown and Palmerton have also given support.

A copy of the formal resolution proposal will be sent to Gov. Tom Wolf, U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, state Sen. John Yudichak, and state Rep. Doyle Heffley.

Police

In police and safety news, police Chief Matt Williams was present to go over his statistical crime report data for Feb. 18 through March 16. As usual, Williams was acknowledged for his efforts in Weissport.

He said that “Lehighton and Franklin police have done a great job responding to and assisting him on recent police calls immediately after requesting backup, and he is grateful for the quick and dedicated support from neighboring forces.”

Weissport’s newly sworn-in treasurer Jennifer Ketchledge reported receiving $13,011.27 in funding for maintenance from Liquid Fuels. She said they’ll be requesting an estimate from Snyder Tire in Lehighton for the borough’s maintenance truck.

The borough is looking to fill two vacancies on the board.

A zoning officer position is open and an opening on sewer authority vacancy is anticipated.

The borough invites any interested residents to submit a letter of interest for the vacancy in which they are interested, and this can either be mailed or dropped off in the mailbox outside of the Weissport borough building, located at 440 Allen St.