This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.
Palmyra Borough Council on March 11 considered ways to honor the late former Mayor Fred Carpenter. Carpenter, 78, died on March 6. He resigned his mayoral position at the beginning of 2025, citing health concerns.
“I would just like to say on behalf of the council, he’s going to be missed,” council president Beth Shearer said. “We all know he loved his community, and for those of us that are older council members, it’s a loss. We’re going to miss you, Fred.”
Carpenter’s obituary states he was a dispatcher for Lebanon County and Derry Township and was appointed EMA director of Palmyra in 1979, resigning in 2001. He served on Palmyra Borough Council from 1988 until the end of 2007. He was reappointed in July 2008 and served until June 2010, when he was appointed mayor.
“Fred was the coordinator for the carnivals in Palmyra at the Fireman’s Park and involved with the parades in the community,” his obituary states. “He was all about service to his community.”
Mayor Tom Miller, who Carpenter suggested for the position and who council later confirmed, brought up the idea of honoring him during his report.
“This is a person who has dedicated much time to this community, and I think we should really, really give some thank yous to him,” Miller said during his report. “We should consider, as the council, maybe some ideas on what to really recognize his accomplishments in this town. 35 years or more in this town is exceptional.”
Miller and several council members said his commitment to the Palmyra community should be highlighted in the ultimate decision. Miller suggested renaming a park or putting Carpenter’s name on a prominent sign as you enter the borough. Council members Jane Quairoli and Nancy Fleegle discussed possibly starting a community garden in his honor on borough-owned land, where residents could come together to tend to the plants.
Assistant borough manager Brenda Pera said the borough had a community garden that later had to be removed after it fell into disarray.
“His big thing was giving back to the community, doing something for the people in the town,” Fleegle said. “I wonder if there’s a different mentality now that people understand what a community garden is.”
Council did not take action on how they will honor Carpenter. They said they would continue coming up with ideas to be discussed at a later meeting.
In other business, council authorized the borough solicitor to pursue Writs of Scire Facias to commence foreclosure proceedings on seven properties throughout the borough due to their delinquent sewer and refuse bills.
Powl said some residents on the list respond when the borough takes this action. Pera said they have reached out to these properties many times over the several years it has taken to bring their bills into thousands of dollars outstanding. These unpaid balances range from $3,354.41 to $4,111.50.
Palmyra Borough Council will meet next at 325 S. Railroad St. on March 25 at 7 p.m. Meetings are also streamed on the Palmyra Borough, Lebanon County Pennsylvania YouTube page.
Questions about this story? Suggestions for a future LebTown article? Reach our newsroom using this contact form and we’ll do our best to get back to you.
Join our community of local news champions.
Cancel anytime.
Monthly
🌟 Annual
- Fewer ads
- Member newsletters
- Exclusive events
- All monthly benefits
- Most popular option
- Make a bigger impact
Already a member? Log in here to hide these messages
Local journalism builds trust through facts. As Lebanon County’s independent news source, LebTown is committed to providing timely, accurate coverage that matters to you. Support our mission by becoming a champion of local news through a monthly or annual membership, or make a one-time contribution. Cancel anytime.
