Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident challenges mayoral committee role; council approves closed session on redevelopment negotiations
Summary
A resident told Palmyra Council the mayor should not chair committees; council later voted to enter closed session for redevelopment negotiations (Resolution 2026-93) and returned to open session prior to adjourning.
During the public comment portion of the Feb. 17 meeting, resident John Weber urged the council to limit the mayor’s role in committee leadership, saying the borough’s form of government reserves committee chair duties for council members.
"The Mayor should not be a chair on any committee," Weber said, noting that under a borough form of government the mayor typically presides over meetings and votes only in the event of a tie. Mr. Rosenberg added that "the mayor can be a member of all committees but if asked to vote, should abstain," framing the practice as one of restraint rather than an absolute prohibition.
Later in the meeting the council approved Resolution 2026‑93 to exclude the public under the Open Public Meetings Act for redevelopment negotiations. President Timothy Howard moved the resolution; Richard Dreby seconded, and the roll call vote was unanimous in favor. The minutes record the meeting entering closed session at approximately 7:39 p.m. and returning to open session at about 7:59 p.m.
Following the closed session the council reopened the meeting to the public and then adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
