A member of Summit Hill borough council is spearheading a campaign to purchase new Christmas streetlights for the community.

Marlene Basiago said the present lights are in poor condition, they only partially work, replacement bulbs are more difficult to obtain, and sockets are beginning to rot.

She said this is a community project, not a council project.

As a result, she has begun hosting meetings to discuss ideas for raising funds to buy the lights, which could amount to thousands of dollars.

She said the first meeting she held recently was attended by seven people, with other individuals expressing an interest in the endeavor.

One of the first fundraisers is scheduled to be held at the Summit Hill Hootenanny on June 30 in Ludlow Park. It will be a walking taco stand.

“Hopefully, we will be successful in raising money for the lights,” Basiago told the borough council.

The councilwoman said she is hopeful the new lights can be obtained by Christmas of 2025.

She said anyone interested in helping with the project can attend Tuesday’s meeting or call her and leave a message.

Resident’s concerns

During Tuesday’s borough council meeting, resident Mary Ann Szczecina said speeding cars continue to be an issue on West White Bear Drive.

She asked Chief of Police Todd Woodward for periodic speed checks on the two-lane road.

Woodward said some traffic arrests were made within the past month by himself and two other officers.

National Night Out

Council member Karen Ruzicka said Summit Hill will be participating in National Night Out this year. The event is scheduled for Aug. 6 and is part of an organized, nationwide campaign to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community.

Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Nesquehoning, Coaldale and several other local communities have participated in National Night Out in past years.

Ruzicka said she has obtained support from businesses for the event. It will be held in Ludlow Park, and there will be games and informational materials.

She is planning a meeting next month to finalize details for the National Night Out.

In the event of inclement weather conditions, the National Night Out activities would be moved to the Community Center.

Memorial Day

Mayor Jeffrey Szczecina thanked those who made the annual Memorial Day parade and service a huge success. It was attended by hundreds of people.

“It’s an excellent program every year,” he said.

The mayor said the next large community event in Summit Hill will be the Hootenanny. He said volunteers are needed.

Other business

In other business, the council discussed the following:

• Ruzicka said the borough will seek bids for waxing the floor in the Community Center. She said the floor was last waxed in 2022.

• The chief of police issued his monthly report covering the period from May 10 to June 6.

In that period, police answered 312 calls. There were two criminal arrests, nine traffic citations issued, five traffic warnings given, eight non-traffic citations issued, 15 parking tickets issued and 17 quality of life tickets issued.

• The council approved a request from Rev. Robert George of St. Joseph’s Parish to hold its annual festival from July 19 to 21.

• There was a request from Lansford borough for a letter of support for a grant to purchase an excavator. Sending the letter was approved by the council.

• The Knights of Columbus was given permission to use Ginder Field from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 22, for a football punt, pass and kick contest.