A Lehighton Borough official has resigned from his position after citing concerns for his safety.

After a one-hour executive session, borough council on Monday unanimously accepted the resignation of borough emergency management coordinator Joe Flickinger.

Immediately afterward, borough council agreed to advertise for letters of interest for a new borough emergency management coordinator.

In his letter submitted to borough council on Monday, Flickinger said he served 10-plus years.

“This was not an easy decision, however, due to acts of intimidation by some borough council members as well as multiple hostile and violent actions directed at me by borough administrative management, has created concerns for my safety,” he wrote. “Under these conditions, I am unable to provide the level of safety and preparedness that our residents deserve.”

After executive session, borough Manager Dane DeWire, along with several members of borough council who were nearby, declined comment on Flickinger’s accusations.

A former borough councilman, Flickinger is running on the Democratic ballot for a four-year term on borough council in the May 20 primary election. He is one of four candidates vying for three seats.

Over the past several months, Flickinger has said he believes borough council has been in violation of the Sunshine Act.

In February, Flickinger once again questioned borough council for not following the required transparency standards.

Councilman John Kreitz said at that time he didn’t disagree with Flickinger’s previous claims that council was violating the Sunshine Act.

Kreitz said that the meeting minutes from council’s February 2024 meeting was missing from the borough’s website.

Mayor Ryan Saunders asked DeWire if his staff has a time frame to have certain tasks be completed by.

It was then noted that the Jan. 6 borough council meeting amended agenda wasn’t posted on the website in the required amount of time.

With regard to changes to agenda, the agency is to post the amended agenda on the agency’s publicly accessible Internet website, if available, and at the agency’s principal office location no later than the first business day following the meeting at which the agenda was changed.

Kreitz said that upon being contacted about the matter, he checked the borough website to see if it was updated; it was not.

DeWire asked Kreitz why he didn’t bring it to his attention if he knew of the discrepancy.

Kreitz then cited DeWire’s salary, and that as borough manager, that’s his job.

Councilman Steve Hawk told DeWire to put an emphasis on letting his staff know the proper procedures to follow.

Councilwoman Becky Worthy said that council members are to work as a team, and that if any council member notices something, it should be shared.

DeWire noted that in his position as borough manager, he fields inquiries about borough business at any and all times.

In January, Flickinger told council he wanted to know why the borough continues to violate the Sunshine At.

Flickinger said that December’s meeting agenda was posted on the borough’s website at 11:20 a.m., which was not 24 hours in advance as required.

In addition, he called out council for using what he called generic wording when describing what they plan to discuss before going into executive session.