Mark Martin, a Palmyra resident, asked the borough council on Aug. 26 to consider installing rapid-flashing beacon crosswalk signs at two intersections where children walk to Forge Elementary and the middle school. Martin said the locations he requested were the intersection of Forge and Walnut Street and the intersection of Cherry and Railroad.

The request came during the meeting's public comment period and was framed as a safety concern for children who cross before the school crossing guard arrives. Martin said he had previously discussed the idea with borough staff member Roger and had obtained drawings and budget materials from South Londonderry Township showing installations on Northside Drive and at U.S. 322. He told council those projects had come in under budget and “have seen improvement of how noticeable they are, when used for stopping traffic.”

Martin said he and other families on his side of town expect more children will need to cross Forge to reach the middle school, and he asked about the process to have the proposal considered or included in a future budget. Councilors asked Martin to forward the packet he had received so borough staff would have the materials if the council decided to pursue the project.

No formal action or vote was taken at the meeting. Councilors directed staff to accept the materials and did not make a motion to add the beacons to the 2026 budget during the session. The item remains at the inquiry/request stage rather than a staff-assigned project.

Why it matters: Rapid-flashing beacons are a low-visibility, targeted countermeasure that communities use to increase driver yielding at crosswalks where children and other pedestrians are at risk. The materials Martin provided from another township will let borough staff and council review estimated costs and permit approaches before any budget commitment or formal request for bids.

The council did not schedule the crosswalk proposal for a future agenda at the meeting. Residents and the council will need to follow up with borough staff to establish next steps, cost estimates and a timetable for possible inclusion in future capital or traffic-safety spending.