Palmyra council pauses proposed skill games ordinance to work on solution

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

Palmyra Borough Council held a brief discussion concerning the creation of an electronic skill games regulation ordinance on Tuesday, but no action was taken. 

The suggested motion would “ask the borough solicitor to prepare an ordinance amending chapter 380 of the zoning ordinance to regulate the electronic skills games.”

After Beth Shearer, council chair, read the action and discussion item on the agenda, council member Marcus Riddell said he wanted to withdraw his motion. He later made that same comment a second time. 

It was noted that the motion she made was for the zoning changes that “were just discussed.” However, no other discussion occurred during the public meeting but an executive session did occur prior to the open session. 

After the motion was read a second time, there was silence in the room for about 20 seconds. When no one spoke up, Shearer moved on to a new agenda item. Following the meeting, LebTown asked Riddell why he sought to withdraw his motion concerning the electronic skills games. 

He said “We’re holding off right now” while “we’re working on our solution.”

LebTown reported in May that Riddell brought the ordinance proposal to council and said it would bypass zoning laws, regulating based on public safety in the borough.

Riddell said in May the zoning officer would be in charge of enforcement. They would charge $100 per terminal per year, and being out of compliance would bring a $500 fine per day until the business is brought back into compliance.

“This does not ban skill games in the borough, it leaves zoning out of it, does not conflict with the Senate Bill 626, which, for the last 10 years, we have yet to get anything passed in the state on skill games — it’s a fight. The way things are looking with 626, it’s going to die this year’s session,” Riddell said. “It’s up to us to protect our citizens when the state’s not going to.”

In other business, council unanimously voted to:

• Authorize the closure of Arch Street between North Chestnut Street and Hamilton Alley on Thursdays, July 17 and Aug. 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for Palmyra Church of the Brethren’s community picnic/cookout events, and Thursday, Oct. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. for the church to host a community “Trunk or Treat” event.
• Grant the closure of West Cherry Street between North Railroad and South Locust streets, and permit the playing of live music on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. for the church to host a Back to School Worship & Prayer event.  
• Appoint Tracy Nornhold as the new emergency management coordinator for the Western Lebanon County Regional Emergency Management Agency, replacing John Breive who will retire at the end of 2025. 
• Approve the minutes of the June 10 council meeting, agree to payment of all bills listed on the May 2025 report, and approve the treasurer’s report for the period May 1-31.

Palmyra Borough Council’s July public meetings are scheduled on Tuesdays, July 8 and 22, at 7 p.m. at borough hall, 325 S. Railroad St., Palmyra.