More than 75 relatives and friends packed borough council’s chambers during a celebratory meeting on July 20 featuring the installation of the new borough clerk, the promotion of two police officers and the swearing in of a new officer.
Starting the festivities was Pastor Lauretta Davis administering the oath of office to her daughter, the new Municipal Clerk Bernadette Davis-Green, who with great posture and diction proudly swore to faithfully serve the residents of Palmyra, while her sister Asha-le’ Davis held a Bible.
After rousing applause, Davis-Green took her seat next to Administrator John Gural and told council members that contained in their packets was a letter from state Sen. Troy Singleton concerning proposed legislation that would help create more affordable housing units in future developments.
Then with many fellow police officers in attendance, councilman and former Police Chief Richard Dreby administered the oath of office to Timothy Leusner, who was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant.
“Tim was one of my first hires,” Dreby said. “It’s an honor to do this.”
An exuberant Leusner – who has served in the Palmyra police department for 27 years – thanked his wife and their sons for standing behind him despite many night and weekend shifts. Mayor Gina Ragomo Tait came to the podium to swear in Matthew Maresca, who was promoted from patrolman to sergeant, and to new officer Andrew Conover.
The council meeting continued with Gural giving a series of updates about redevelopment projects, including the Outlaw Performance and Recovery property at 620-22 Highland Ave.; the former Knight of Columbus property at 321 E. Broad St.; Pamarco/Armotek Industries at 701 Roto Ave.; the Callahan Chemical property at 806 South Broad St.; and the former Palmyra Liquor Store at 107-9 West Broad St.
Gural said the borough had not heard from Sea Box, which plans to convert the Knights building into office space, in 30 days.
“They haven’t commenced construction,” he added.
But Gural is confident the project will move forward. He also said that the Brownsfield Development Area Steering Committee is trying to include the Callahan Chemical and Pamarco/Armotek properties in the Route 73 Redevelopment Area.
Council members then approved by consent agenda seven resolutions, including amending the borough’s policies and procedures manual implementing changes to the New Jersey Family Leave Act, and appointing Linda Yasnick as alternate registrar.
Council also approved the building of a 6-foot high security fence along the railroad tracks at Legion Field.
“It will be non-scalable,” Gural said.
The next regular council meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17.
Pastor Lauretta Davis (right) administers the oath of office to new Municipal Clerk Bernadette Davis-Green while Asha-le’ Davis holds a Bible during the borough council meeting July 20.
Mayor Gina Ragomo administers the oath of office to new Patrol Officer Andrew Conover with his parents looking on during the festive meeting.
Mayor Gina Ragomo swears in Palmyra Police Sergeant Matthew Maresca while his wife holds the Bible.
Councilman Richard Dreby administers the oath of office to Lt. Timothy Leusner of the borough police department as his wife, Gina, and their two sons look on.
