Lehighton Borough Council took the following action last week:

• Adopted a resolution authorizing the County of Carbon to administer Community Development Block Grant funding and develop the borough’s Community Development Plan on behalf of the borough.

• Agreed to hire candidate No. 1 for the vacant borough mechanic position at the union contract starting salary of $49,171, pending the offer, acceptance, and pre-employment screening. Under the current contract, that salary would increase to $51,903 in a year, and to $54,635 after two years.

• Tabled the purchase of a new 2024 Toro 60” Zero turn grass mower with trade-in credit for $9,459.

• Tabled authorizing the borough solicitor to prepare a petition and advertise the ordinance for the vacation of Penn, Graver and three unnamed alleys at no cost to the borough.

• Approved heart and lung benefits for employee No. 298, pending a doctor’s note stating it’s a temporary injury and not permanent.

• Announced that council members Autumn Abelovsky, Ryan Saunders, and Rebecca Worthy will serve on the facade grant committee. State Sen. David Argall and state Rep. Doyle Heffley previously awarded the borough $250,000 for downtown facade work for beautification. The borough will establish a program for property owners to apply for a portion of the funds.

• Agreed to have borough solicitor Jim Nanovic draft a fat, oil, and grease requirements and traps ordinance for the sanitary sewer system.

• Agreed to accept letters of interest for a vacancy fulfillment for the Planning Commission.

• Accepted Lamont Ebbert’s resignation from the Lehighton Water Authority.

— Terry Ahner