Exactly which alleys Lehighton should pave remains undetermined.

Consideration on the 2022 alley paving program and future planning was once again debated by borough council last week.

Last month, borough Manager Nicole Beckett said that per the Public Works Department, it would cost $20,350 to pave the five worst alleys.

Beckett said those alleys are Poplar, East, Center, Keystone and Mahoning. However, she said the price does not include Division Alley.

She indicated that Public Works had completed an assessment of alleys in addition to reviewing complaints received since 2017.

Public Works Superintendent Kris Kunkle said Monday he was told they have $14,000.

Councilwoman Lisa Perry said either council does the five alleys, or Division Alley.

Kunkle said Beckett’s recommendation was to do something to Division Alley before doing anything else.

Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky said she believes that council should do any of the five alleys that Public Works thinks should be done, to which Perry agreed.

Councilman Donnie Rehrig suggested that Kunkle pick out the worst alley.

“The money’s not there,” Rehrig said. “See what you can do with $14,000, and put in a prioritized order and get with Nicole.”

In March, borough engineer Bruce Steigerwalt shared an estimate to do the work on Division Alley with council.

Beckett said at that time the estimate for paving materials is $14,080 with all work being completed by borough forces. However, the estimated cost in wages has not been calculated.

There were two estimates: One for just paving materials at $14,080, and no additional improvements; and another that includes stormwater improvements in addition to materials at an estimated cost of $75,052 without labor.

Beckett said the issues addressed with Division Alley included the surface condition, stormwater, encroachments and safety/visibility concerns at Division Alley and Route 209.

Perry noted at that time that if council were to approve the estimate, then no other alleys would get done this year.

After that meeting, Beckett said that sections of East Alley and Center Alley were planned for repairs this year.

In February, resident Derek Davies told council there’s limited parking on Carbon Street, and said a lot of them park on Division Alley.

Davies said one of the biggest concerns is that the alley isn’t paved.

In January, Whitney Schnell started a petition for Division Alley so that she and her neighbors may safely travel it.

Schnell said her family, friends and neighbors live on Carbon Street, and many of them have back parking in Division Alley to their homes.

However, she said the borough doesn’t maintain the alley, making it difficult to get to it during the winter months.