Palmyra council advertises 2026 preliminary budget after debate over fire funding; approves higher refuse fee

Palmyra Borough Council voted to authorize advertisement of the 2026 preliminary budget and to ask the borough solicitor to prepare and advertise a 2026 real-estate tax ordinance after an extended budget discussion that highlighted funding pressures on the volunteer fire company. The council also approved a resolution raising the refuse-collection fee from $112 to $121 per quarter, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

The budget discussion centered on whether to increase an incentive program and how much to contribute to the apparatus fund for the volunteer fire company. An unnamed council member argued Palmyra "does not actually do fundraisers" for apparatus purchases and proposed keeping the incentive at its current level and halving the apparatus contribution for one year to avoid another tax increase. Council members and the fire chief described staffing and training demands faced by volunteers and noted limitations on…