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Palmyra approves playground contract, reviews EV charger grant and flags firehouse structural repairs
Summary
Council awarded a $59,552 contract for Legion Field playground, reported completion timelines for 2024 road and sewer work, accepted an EV charger grant with concerns about parking and maintenance, and heard that the privately owned firehouse may require full floor replacement rather than a limited foundation repair.
Palmyra council members approved a contract for Legion Field playground improvements and reviewed multiple infrastructure and grant matters at their April 7 meeting, while staff raised concerns about ownership, maintenance and costs for other facilities.
The council approved Resolution 2025-125 on the consent agenda to award a contract to Think Pavers Hardscaping, LLC for the Legion Field playground improvement project for $59,552, following ERI engineer William Kirchner’s recommendation. Mr. Kirchner said playground equipment delivery and assembly could take six to eight weeks and that a ceremonial groundbreaking could be scheduled once procurement is underway.
Mr. Kirchner reported that the contractor has restarted the 2024 road program work (concrete and paving), and that sewer repairs on W. 3rd Street were completed about six weeks ago with milling and paving planned. He also proposed a traffic study for Elm Avenue/Second Street and Morgan Avenue to examine speeding; ERI will put together a proposal and seek cooperation from neighboring Riverton for intersections under Riverton’s control.
Officials discussed an EV charging-station grant for two chargers with a total project cost stated in packet materials as $211,000. Mr. Gural provided a funding breakdown included in the packet (BPU reimbursement $55,000; PSEG $32,500; an IRS contribution listed as $63,331) and expressed concern about losing two parking spaces in front of the Community Center, potential underuse, upkeep responsibilities and how to collect payments. He warned the borough must sign the agreement by May 1, 2025 and noted that relocating the sites from the originally applied-for locations would require approval and might not be granted.
On building repairs, Mr. Kirchner said the Fire Company’s floor could not safely support the weight of fire trucks and that the required fix likely entails replacing the floor rather than only repairing the foundation, which nearly doubles the projected cost; he said the borough cannot contribute to the construction cost because the building is privately owned and recommended further meetings with the Fire Company to determine next steps.
Why it matters Playground upgrades and sewer/road repairs affect daily life and municipal services; the EV charger award adds climate- and mobility-related infrastructure but raises questions about long-term ownership and maintenance that will affect public parking and the borough’s operating responsibilities.
What’s next The playground contractor will proceed with procurement and scheduling; ERI will produce a traffic-study proposal; staff will return to council about the EV charger agreement and possible relocation options; borough staff and the Fire Company will meet to scope the full repair and funding options.
