Palmyra Borough will become a cashless operation on Jan. 1

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

At its June 23 meeting, Palmyra Borough Council unanimously approved a motion for the borough to become a cashless operation, effective Jan. 1.

The discussion arose from issues presented by the borough accepting cash as a form of payment, ranging from the logistics of pennies to the safety of borough staff when dealing with large sums of cash.

Assistant borough manager Brenda Pera estimated that two-thirds of residents are currently using non-cash forms of payment with the borough, one-sixth of residents are using cash, and one-sixth of residents are simply not paying.

The borough intends to inform residents about the change to the accepted forms of payment, which include check/electronic check, money order, and debit/credit cards, and the fees that apply to certain forms of payment prior to becoming cashless at the turn of the year.

In the second public comment period, after the motion was passed, Palmyra resident Chris Kunc voiced his opposition to the borough removing cash as an accepted form of payment and suggested council members consider alternatives.

Council members unanimously approved a motion to authorize the borough solicitor to oppose the application for 52 W. Main St. from owner Paola Cali and applicant Kerry Dieter and the application for 33 E. Main St. from owner Andy Sattazahn and applicant Dan Lauria/Prime Play LLC at the July 13 zoning hearing board meeting.

The application for 52 W. Main St. is seeking a special exception to allow an arcade/game room in the central business district. The application for 33 E. Main St. is seeking a special exception to allow an arcade consisting of skill game devices to operate within an existing commercial storefront.

Council members unanimously approved a motion to support the application for 1221 E. Main St. from owners 1221 East Main LLC and RADII LLC, which is seeking special exceptions to build a warehouse.

In other news, council members unanimously moved to:

• Approve the June 9 meeting minutes, approve the payment of the borough’s bills, and approve the treasurer’s report.
• Approve the president’s report, including a reminder to stay safe with July 4 festivities, mayor’s report, including a plug for the 250th anniversary parade on July 3 at 6 p.m. in Jonestown, financial report, fire department/EMS report, library report, including a clarification that library cards are free, Western Lebanon County Regional Police Department report, recreation commission report, and solicitor’s report.
• Approve the borough manager’s report, which included:
  • A continuation of the street sweeping discussion, specifically a request that the number of seasonal sweeps be reduced to three (once in the spring, summer, and early fall), and a request that the two streets that are listed to be swept in the current ordinance (Railroad and Cherry) be redacted to grant the borough more flexibility on which streets are swept.
  • A continuation of the paver discussion, specifically an update that the borough is working together with North and South Londonderry townships to leverage resources and systems.

Palmyra Borough Council will meet next on Tuesday, July 14, at 7 p.m., at 325 S. Railroad St. Meetings are streamed on the Palmyra Borough, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania YouTube page.