Palmyra Borough swears in new councilor after public interviews

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Palmyra Borough Council voted for resident Karen Nye to fill a vacant position on council during its April 28 meeting.

The action comes after Sheila Snyder announced her resignation due to moving out of the borough. Snyder took office during the January reorganization meeting, where she was also elected vice president.

Nye presented herself to borough council for a brief public interview during the meeting. Resident and former school board candidate Josh Brinser also answered council’s questions about what he could bring to the municipality.

“I’m here because I care about the community, and I want to be more directly involved in helping Palmyra continue to be a good place to live, work, and raise a family,” Nye said during her introduction.

She said important issues facing the community include maintaining local infrastructure, using borough resources responsibly, and planning for the future “without losing what makes our town special.”

Ultimately, Nye was voted onto council unanimously and sworn in by Mayor Tom Miller.

“I’m prepared to do the work that is required, and I’m willing to listen, and I think that’s more important than having an opinion sometimes,” Nye said.

Nye, who told council that she has a history in administration and organizational work, also drives a bus for Palmyra Area School District. She was honored at the March 26 school board meeting for her commitment to student safety for contacting a student’s family before dropping her off when she noticed an unusual vehicle in the driveway.

Council then voted 4-3 for Marcus Riddell to serve as council’s vice president. Beth Shearer, Nancy Fleegle, and Matthew Andrews were the dissenting votes.

They also voted for councilwoman Nancy Fleegle to serve the remainder of Snyder’s term as council’s representative on the Western Lebanon County Regional Police Commission, which expires at the end of 2026.

In other business, council:

• Heard from scout Antoine Molinello-Fuster, who provided his final report for his Eagle Scout project at Heritage Park. He and a team worked to make it safer and cleaner by removing graffiti, filling holes in the slide, repainting, trimming trees, and replacing mulch.
• Approved two requested financial security reductions. A $229,076.97 reduction for the East Ridge Road Melrose land development will leave a remaining balance of $445,180.83. There was also a $48,070 release for the Lazarus 120 W. Main St. land development plan, leaving no remaining financial security funds.
• Took no stance on an upcoming zoning hearing board case scheduled to be heard on May 11 at 5:30 p.m. The owner of a property at 128 E. Main St. is requesting a variance and special exception, in hopes of converting commercial space into two dwelling units.

Palmyra Borough Council will meet next at 325 S. Railroad St. on May 12 at 7 p.m. Meetings are streamed on the Palmyra Borough, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania YouTube page.