Residents complain about snow plowing; council cites staffing and statewide salt shortage

Residents at the Feb. 2 Palmyra Borough caucus meeting criticized the borough’s snow-plowing response and asked questions about salt procurement and equipment.

Ms. Chellman of Cinnaminson Avenue said she was unhappy with plowing and removal, asked why the borough delayed requesting additional salt until January and asked whether trash trucks could be fitted with blades for plowing. Mr. Gural responded that many new public works employees lacked plowing experience, that rubber-edge blades are used to avoid damaging asphalt (steel blades would damage roadways), and that trash trucks cannot be equipped for plowing. He also said the borough is experiencing a statewide salt shortage and may need to build a larger salt bin and purchase additional equipment; cost estimates are pending when weather allows work.

Resident Edward Weber (identified by address) welcomed new Councilmember Anthony Foster and argued that, under Palmyra’s borough form of government, committee chairs should be council members rather than the mayor. The council did not record a formal vote or policy change on that governance point during the meeting.

Council follow-ups: Mr. Gural said cost estimates for the War Memorial electrical repairs and any equipment purchases will be developed when weather permits. The council instructed the municipal clerk to notify eligible police-department candidates about the chief-of-police vacancy to begin that internal process.

This record: the public comment and operational discussion appeared in the meeting’s discussion section and did not result in immediate ordinance or resolution changes.