Bring back the parking meters?

That’s a question Lehighton borough officials have been left to ponder after hearing from a business owner at Monday’s borough council meeting.

Jennifer Solt-Cerato, owner of Jenny’s Sweets & More at 114 S. First St., told council she was there to discuss the parking situation on First Street.

Solt-Cerato signaled out business owners and employees parking on First Street instead of public lots, businesses with patrons who are there for a longer stay, and people parking in front of their residences.

“I see people peeking in the window,” Solt-Cerato said. “There’s never any parking.”

Solt-Cerato said she’s in favor of having parking meters.

“People have no place to park,” she said. “I think if we had meters back in some way, it would allow people to park.”

Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky said that there are public lots available for parking.

But Solt-Cerato said she doesn’t feel comfortable doing that.

“At night, I just don’t feel safe doing it,” she said. “There’s no lighting.”

Councilman Joe Flickinger thanked Solt-Cerato for sharing her thoughts with council.

Later in the meeting, council discussed the future of parking meters along First Street.

Borough Manager Nicole Beckett said it’s routine for the matter to be discussed every year at budget time since there are revenues and expenses associated with the parking meters.

Beckett said there has not been a final decision on the future of the meters during those budget talks.

In 2011, the borough purchased 25 meter mechanisms, and they were about $160 at that time.

Beckett said the parking meters had previously been removed from sections of North First Street before her time.

She noted that the borough had removed them around the lower park during the construction project to allow for free parking, and due to the costs associated to replace or rehabilitate the existing meters.

Kris Kunkle, Public Works Supervisor, said there are many parking meters stored.

Flickinger suggested that council obtain pricing on new meters for First Street.

Councilman Ryan Saunders said he shared Solt-Cerato’s frustration with business owners parking all day long and not leaving spaces for patrons to park in.

Saunders then suggested potentially putting updated meters on North and South First Street.

Abelovsky said that in keeping with the town’s population, credit card options “are not feasible.”

“We need to have coin options,” Abelovsky said.

After the meeting, Beckett said she will be pricing the costs of replacing the meter mechanisms, new parking meters and parking kiosks.

“They are up for discussion now, as it is time to have the existing meters calibrated and serviced,” Beckett said.