The Lehigh Canal & Recreation Commission had two town hall meetings recenlty to discuss the future of the commission.

Ryan Saunders, commission representative from Lehighton, led the first session. Volunteers Rod Mann and Denis DeMarra led the second session.

The goals of the commission are to encourage each municipality to have an appointed representative, encourage community volunteers, and increase fundraising to meet the commission’s needs.

The estimated budget is $25,000 per year, which covers maintenance and one part-time staff person. The commission currently brings in just $6,700 per year.

Current Lehigh Canal & Recreation Commission representatives are: Ryan Saunders, Lehighton; Jack Sterling, Jim Thorpe; Arland Moyer, Weissport; Dennis Bauchspies, until Dec. 31, Franklin Township; and Carbon County Commissioner Rocky Ahner.

Parryville, Mahoning Township, and East Penn Township do not have an appointed official.

Failure to fill the open positions and increase volunteer participation are of big concern for the commission.

The commission is totally run by volunteers.

Things that the LCRC does include routine maintenance of the D&L Trail (mowing, brush removal, trash removal), maintain trail amenities (benches, tables, pavilion), wildlife and water flow management, maintain the Lehigh Canal and historic structures, major improvement projects to improve resilience against increasingly severe storm events, and convene volunteers for cleanup days (trash pick up, bridge repairs, lock maintenance).

The next commissioner meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30 at the Weissport Borough Hall, 441 Allen Street, and is open to the public.