Palmerton Borough Council tabled a revised ordinance Thursday night that would have required anyone wishing to use the bandstand in the borough park to get a permit from the municipality.

The measure was pitched as an attempt to curb vandalism of the bandstand, but several residents told council they didn’t think restricting use was the answer.

Speaking on behalf of the Donald and Mary Behler Foundation, the organization that funded a majority of the bandstand renovations in 2021, Tabitha Serfass said the family did not support the ordinance as it was written.

“We agree something needs to be done, but we did not fund this bandstand project to see it sit empty and have the borough manage who does and does not qualify to use it,” Serfass said. “We want everyone to be able to use it. Until the borough has a plan to enforce its existing rules and stop the destruction of property, I believe it would be in everyone’s best interest to form a real solution rather than a hasty decision to enact yet another ordinance.”

In calling for the ordinance to be tabled, Councilman Cory Kepner said he didn’t want to see anyone restricted from using the bandstand, but “thousands of dollars can’t be thrown out the window.”

“Whether we spend it or volunteer groups spend it, we’re trying to be good custodians as elected officials to make sure this is here for another 125 years,” Kepner. “That is our intent.”

Mayor Don Herrmann said technology upgrades have recently given a 24/7 video feed of the bandstand and work is underway to increase the number of surveillance cameras in that area.

“I’m glad this ordinance was tabled,” Herrmann said. “I think there are other solutions. We need to be more proactive instead of reactive. I’m very disappointed with our bike patrol and the fact that only 5 hours were logged in May. I solicited those bikes for the purpose of them being used. Five hours to me is pathetic.”

Resident Lisa Snell Kern said she supports efforts for grant funding for more security cameras.

“This is going to help solve the problem of vandalism more than any other proposal, in my opinion,” she said. “In order to stand a good chance at a conviction, witnesses (aka a camera) are needed to clearly identify perpetrators and deter people from such behavior in the first place.”

Serfass said a major issue behind the vandalism is kids having “nowhere to go and nothing to do.”

“They want to hang out, congregate and socialize,” she said. “There is nowhere for them to do so in this town in any type of controlled environment. It doesn’t excuse the destruction of property, but the teenagers of this town have taken the wrap for all of the damage done and that isn’t fair.”

Councilman Andrew Hollywood, however, said there are plenty of areas for kids to be kids.

“They have the whole park available to play hacky sack,” Hollywood said. “We just recently upgraded the basketball courts at Third Street and they can hang out there. It is not the borough’s responsibility to create amusement parks. We have parks where kids can enjoy themselves.”