[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6177281,"mediaKeyId","5340864-f557680e576ad8eee09b2c0467941e45","parentId",5340864,"title","Palmyra officials plan for new rescue vehicle as volunteer ranks strain","audioSeconds",313,"startMs",2459000,"endMs",2772000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5340864-f557680e576ad8eee09b2c0467941e45&start=2459&end=2772","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5340864-f557680e576ad8eee09b2c0467941e45/thumbnail_2459000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6177281/Palmyra/Lebanon-County/Pennsylvania/Palmyra-officials-plan-for-new-rescue-vehicle-as-volunteer-ranks-strain","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177281-755350782c4ec9a196001aa73378b9e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012270&Signature=AeRmekwRd7niTSh56mtytvbOM0ECL1VFvm4jz3f9JIhvWsd-Ir5P44NC6GKsG8PGXSYHKjC3ytLAI9vaC6UQpilgAt13H0sIcWAN~a7iZ7pR2pcpR3qzkmmfjoOyegKBLTD1BLTFT-08qvp8rUmv-cai~faR5NNG37i0m1iV6s0xF1w1MKbTvI8GtjvGnxgQ9Wa9ytOhcZjPjxk8a1zrBenjSOKCGDvvIXRQ2lt0MioiYZE6hX-azlWTYxf0rJA3WKgPCsdrSmG24L0kAZOhDaCBEU~0~6HjbLJ43LRUeZm0W2rUTGoBzpJBsfmB2MGd8YPxTU6PjjLF31w45K-t8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Palmyra Borough, PA","date","2025-07-10T00:08:10.737Z","article","Palmyra Borough Council received an update on the volunteer fire company’s operations and long-range equipment needs, including a plan to replace a 2006 rescue engine ahead of a 2030 deadline.

Officials said the 2006 La France rescue engine is increasingly difficult to maintain and that the fire company is considering a Seagrave replacement. The vehicle cost estimate given in the meeting was about $1,000,000; borough representatives said the borough and North Londonderry Township each contribute $75,000 a year to an equipment fund and that current reserves for the vehicle total about $137,000.

Staff and commissioners described the timing needs: the projected build time is three years, meaning an order would need to be placed in 2027 and engineering work in 2026 to meet a 2030 delivery target. Councilors discussed the cost of vehicle body, tool mounting and additional equipment, all of which are not included in the $1 million vehicle estimate.

Volunteer staffing and organizational steps
Councilors and fire‑commission representatives said response times remain reasonable for an all‑volunteer department — dispatch en route averages were noted as roughly 2 minutes 42 seconds, with a first-arriving engine at about 7 minutes 15 seconds — but that recruiting and administrative burdens are growing. The fire commission plans to seek outside advice and has discussed hiring a full‑time chief to take on administrative duties, apply for grants and provide continuity.

Budget implications and next steps
Officials said replacing the rescue vehicle will require multi‑year planning and additional fundraising or bonding. Councilors noted the long lead time and recommended starting engineering and procurement planning in the next 12–18 months. The council did not take a formal funding vote at the meeting; staff said the borough and township currently allocate $75,000 annually to an equipment fund and that further budget discussions will be necessary.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council heard the Palmyra volunteer fire company’s request to plan for replacing a 2006 rescue engine by 2030, with an estimated vehicle cost of about $1 million and current savings of roughly $137,000; officials discussed staffing pressures and possible steps including hiring a full‑time chief.","taxTitle","Palmyra, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania","taxId",71836,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6177286,"Lebanon County’s America250 organizers invite Palmyra residents to July 4, 2026 celebration",121,97000,218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5340864-f557680e576ad8eee09b2c0467941e45&start=97&end=218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5340864-f557680e576ad8eee09b2c0467941e45/thumbnail_97000.jpg","/articles/6177286/Palmyra/Lebanon-County/Pennsylvania/Lebanon-Countys-America250-organizers-invite-Palmyra-residents-to-July-4-2026-celebration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177286-35a1e5873c2e083b5bf6a2064c360895/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012270&Signature=Ap5FI2SNekQu3g1eJP-cmZ4zL7ln9F9Q7CPzrp1jEIm090N5CZCahWdPjfwKbn7wdxhKK0msxdRjAKTeGbNE5aWb0andXjSgESe8mz8CemQEX71NOQXixOX1ls5Od7YkRtPlWgvDd0O1GSaXhWqE7BNTvZLnomkjesHgd8e2vDgn1qw7NngIQ6QuM6vgwLD14tFHMgxgcyGVBryCwSTOQ9oXA2QKNgbU1U-tA9T~2lgEx6YEYQiLprcR90AJwxCwJHPCXuQebAZPBFvfInkE7QP6w9wfolSjMoKkJg-uSNOyAZ4Za7hBrOeDs7U46KpDfElBbH3T-wQPhUF1BAU7sA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pam Tricamo, a representative of the America250 Lebanon County core committee, briefed Palmyra Borough Council on plans for the county’s semiquincentennial observance and invited residents and municipal staff to participate.

The event is scheduled for July 4, 2026, from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Lebanon Expo Center; for one year only, the county’s fireworks display will move from Komen Memorial Park to the Expo Center. Tricamo said organizers are planning family activities, historical displays, and exhibits from local fire companies and historical groups.

Tricamo said the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial was established by the legislature and governor in 2018 to plan and coordinate commemoration activities. The Lebanon County core committee was formed by the Lebanon County commissioners; Tricamo said the local committee has six subcommittees — military, education, history, marketing/sponsorship, grants and events — and that residents can join any subcommittee.

Public meetings and contact
Tricamo invited anyone interested to drop into quarterly planning meetings without a formal RSVP. The next meeting listed during the council session was Tuesday, July 29 at 4 p.m. at the Lebanon Expo Center; the committee also planned a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 4 p.m. (location to be confirmed). Tricamo provided contact information to borough staff for distribution to council and residents and noted the event maintains a website (lebanonpa250.com) and a Facebook page for updates.

","A representative of America250-Lebanon asked Palmyra Council to spread word about a countywide semiquincentennial event set for July 4, 2026 at the Lebanon Expo Center and invited residents to join planning subcommittees and quarterly meetings.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6177291,"Palmyra residents, officials press stormwater fixes as Melrose development advances",2228,467000,2695000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5340864-f557680e576ad8eee09b2c0467941e45&start=467&end=2695","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5340864-f557680e576ad8eee09b2c0467941e45/thumbnail_467000.jpg","/articles/6177291/Palmyra/Lebanon-County/Pennsylvania/Palmyra-residents-officials-press-stormwater-fixes-as-Melrose-development-advances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177291-1be86196e79bfa833e04a1000027c464/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012270&Signature=TCjFMMqNKq7ofCOW4NatJwAN91uyyLssLAn0o27gIgGARVo9mXLp4H-kc24s3p2L5Vs9DHAhwTmxxoFMHRAk5SU3otO3u~oovPA0~hKNhKHgEyv0BEq6gTDtvvtxcUmMVX6S3nwPB8eVgxYSCHlWSUXnNqJc0G87V2hSXBuqlnUZtiS3VMeQhDyXTKyAW-Nfg4VP9JWO57vF~s6ndm6qTIxsV68tv1IejuzxDx0oBi-0qXg78JL-yku7ZFRLkk~7Jr3ouc6zKd3wGX8~nTn5~9dCn7OIASXrTkW7HTiL1FjhJE3GLcpqQqcbCd053XqnY93SsqhUfTFViWArA4j1~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Palmyra Borough residents and elected officials on Tuesday pressed for fixes to recurring drainage problems after heavy rain and raised objections to starting phase 2 of the Melrose subdivision while phase 1 drainage issues remain unresolved.

The discussion was prompted by public comments from residents who described flooding, sediment-laden runoff and infiltration basins that remained high for days after a storm. Resident Tom Gillespie said his attempt to add a three-car garage foundered on the borough’s stormwater ordinance and the cost of an engineer-sealed plan. “It’s gonna cost you anywhere between $5,000 and $15,000,” Gillespie said he was told after a site visit, and he urged council to consider lower-cost options such as rain barrels or a “water garden in a box.”

Why it matters: Councilors and staff said the borough’s ordinance implements state and federal stormwater permitting requirements (NPDES/MS4) and that the municipality must enforce an engineered standard for projects above local thresholds. Residents said repeated heavy rain and construction runoff are straining existing infrastructure, and several urged delaying additional construction until drainage is fixed.

Council and staff discussion
Borough officials and councilors described multiple, overlapping constraints: state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) expectations tied to the NPDES/MS4 permit, local geology that limits infiltration in some places, and PennDOT review of potential fixes that would direct more water into roadway drains. Staff noted that the borough’s ordinance is based on DEP model language and that local modifications reflect Palmyra’s geology and Chesapeake Bay-area requirements.

Dave McCloskey, a resident who has followed the Melrose project, told council the planning commission should withhold approval of phase 2 until phase 1 stormwater work is resolved. “Phase 1 is not complete to satisfaction of the people who live around it,” McCloskey said, and he asked the council to advise the planning commission accordingly. Council members and staff confirmed the planning commission will consider Melrose phase 2 at its July 23 meeting.

Technical and regulatory details
Staff and speakers described several specific technical points raised in the meeting: borough thresholds that trigger an engineered stormwater report (speakers cited a 500-square-foot/800-square-foot threshold in different exchanges and noted a full engineered plan is required above 5,000 square feet); the borough credits removal of existing impervious area (for example, a shed) against new impervious area when calculating compliance; and infiltration basins on site are designed for a 10‑year storm (about 4.5 inches over 24 hours), while the recent storm produced roughly 6 inches in less than 24 hours — exceeding design capacity.

Speakers also noted that county- or watershed-level plans are uneven across Lebanon County, and that PennDOT and county conservation reviews limit the borough’s unilateral options. Staff said some proposed alternatives to routing water down Grant Street were rejected by PennDOT, and that borough officials are pursuing further conversations with state and county agencies.

Costs and timelines
Residents cited examples of cost estimates and repair timelines: an on-site engineer visit that produced a $5,000–$15,000 estimate for a private garage runoff plan; a quoted price of about $16,500 for injection grouting work at a separate sinkhole site; and the observation that detention basins and temporary erosion controls used during construction (silt bags, etc.) can restrict flow until final paving and final grading are completed.

Discussion versus decisions
The council’s discussion recorded no formal vote or ordinance change at the meeting. Officials said the developer for Melrose has completed the plat elements required under the municipal planning code and that the remaining physical connection work (including a pipe discussed in the meeting) is the item staff and council continue to press the developer to finish. Several council members and residents urged delaying approvals for additional construction until the outstanding drainage connections and fixes are completed and inspected.

Next steps and follow-up
The planning commission is scheduled to review Melrose phase 2 on July 23, 2025. Staff said they will continue outreach to PennDOT and Lebanon County conservation staff about alternative routing and about documentation of water quality metrics. Residents requested a follow-up meeting and copies of inspections and test data so neighbors can compare current water quality and flow to any baseline measurements.

","Residents and councilors at the Palmyra Borough Council meeting pressed for clearer stormwater controls and for outstanding drainage work tied to the Melrose development before a second phase proceeds; officials said the borough must meet state NPDES/MS4 requirements and that some work is under engineer review and county/ PennDOT review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Palmyra officials plan for new rescue vehicle as volunteer ranks strain

Lebanon County’s America250 organizers invite Palmyra residents to July 4, 2026 celebration

Palmyra residents, officials press stormwater fixes as Melrose development advances