46th Annual Civic Trust Awards

On November 2nd the BIP held its 46th Annual Civic Trust Awards program at the Seipsville Inn in Palmer Township.  Prior to the dinner, Jeff Young, President of the BIP welcomed the members present and the recipients. After dinner, Chairwomen of the Awards Committee Debra Young presented the 2023 Civic Trust Awards recipients.

booster award – Thomas Adams

This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the Palmer Township community. It is presented to the person who has exhibited outstanding service to others thus distinguishing Palmer Township through their contributions to their fellow man, business community or political environment.

Tonight, we recognize Tom Adams as our Booster Award recipient, celebrating nearly 20 years of service to Palmer Township.  Tom was born in Easton and grew up in Palmer Township.  After graduating from Easton Are High School, Class of 1976, Tom continued his education at Penn State University.  Earning a BS Degree in Environmental Engineering allowed him to work as a licensed Professional Engineer on both the East and West Coast, including California, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. He has performed various Municipal Engineering, Land Development and Public Utility work for the past 42 years.

Tom started his full-time career with Palmer Township in April 2004 and has served as our Public Services Director. But he actually worked for the township in 1979, out of the old Municipal Building as an Engineering Aide under the direction of Bill Remaly and Kermit Finkbeiner.

Tom is married to the former Mary Kathryn VanHorn.  They have one son, Robert, who works as a civilian employee for the Department of Defense, US Navy.

We Congratulate Tom on his dedication to Palmer Township and wish him well in his retirement.

community service award – The New Palmer School

The Community Service Award recognizes individuals and/or groups who by the service to others or contributions to the Palmer community help to distinguish Palmer as a caring community.

We recognize the Easton Area School District for the New Palmer Elementary School.  Before we look at the present and future, I’d like to share some historical information that I found very interesting.

The original Palmer School first opened in 1952 as Palmer Township Consolidated School, under the Palmer School District leadership.  In 1946, the projected enrollment for the school was 352, however when it opened in 1952 the actual enrollment was 649 students from K through 6. It was realized early on more space was needed.

An addition was completed in 1958 and Palmer School consisted of 2 buildings – the Cole Building and the Auld Building – both buildings were named after past principals.  It was very interesting to learn that after 6^th grade, students could attend either Wilson High School, Liberty High School or Easton High School.

In 1964-1965 time frame, Palmer School and the Palmer School District, went into total jointure with the Easton School System on a K-12 level. In 1970, Easton reorganized with the 9-member board and became the Easton Area School District.

Those original buildings served Palmer Township and our children until 2019.  Our son came home last weekend and we drove by the new Palmer School. Scott is now 25 years old, went through Palmer School and he graduated from EAHS in 2018. He looked at the colorful new school and said that’s cool!  His first question was “where is the clock?”.  His second question was “did they save the compass?”  It’s funny what our children remember as adults.

After 67 years, in June of 2019, a closing ceremony was held to say goodbye to the old buildings.

After many years of planning and construction, the newly redesigned 3-story facility which is 95,000 square feet was completed. The EASD held a ribbon cutting ceremony on September 26^th to allow the community, former students and employees to roam the modern, bright building that welcomes you with a giant mobile with arrows pointing to Believe, Grow, Wonder, Hope and Challenge.  Things we wish for our children to experience.

The new school opened to the children on August 28, 2023 and the current enrollment for K through 5 is 569 students.

The brightly colored hallways lead to 25 homerooms and 4 IU operated classrooms, with specialists and educators planting seeds for our future. As things change, the importance of a strong education stays the same.

We Congratulate the Easton Area School District and welcome the new Palmer Elementary School which provide many opportunities, both academically and extracurricular activities – nourishing future leaders in our community.

Accepting the award tonight is Josh Ziatyk, EASD Assistant Superintendent and Meridith Naumann, Principal of Palmer Elementary School

civic trust award – DelRea Property Management

The award is the highest tribute that the association of professionals can pay to a business, corporation or individual conducting commerce within the township boundaries of Palmer. It is intended to recognize significant physical improvement to existing properties, as well as new structures, which through the free-enterprise system in turn make an outstanding contribution to the business climate of the township.

Our 2023 Civic Trust Award is being presented to DelRea Property Management, LLC, for the refurbishment and improvements made on an existing property. Located at 377 S. Nulton Street many of us may remember as The Flower Cart, is now converted into an office for the owner of the management company Ron DelSerro and is also home to Black Box Charcuterie.

Black Box Charcuterie is owned and operated by Ali DelSerro, and I’d like to take a few moments to share with you this hidden gem. Ali specializes in both savory boards and dessert boards. I’d like to refer to this as our favorite food groups – snacks and desserts.  But what she does is she creates a work of art.

In addition to these beautiful and delicious boards, Ali makes cannoli trays, cookie trays, fruit boards, veggie boards and brunch boards.  She offers holiday and special event boards – including birthdays, graduations, Bridal and Baby showers.

Now, back to the Civic Trust Award…..

Purchased in January of 2022, the 5,928 square foot building was totally gutted to transform it from a florist, to the office space and charcuterie shop it is today. Black Box has a showroom with a display case and meeting area, as well as the kitchen area where the work is done.  There is additional storage space on the mail level that can be used for future expansion if needed. Upstairs there are 2 apartments.  Replacing walls, flooring, paint and windows, the interior is all new. 

The exterior of the building was updated with stucco and stone. The landscaping has been enhanced and created a beautiful business site in Palmer Township.

BIP Congratulates DelRea Property Management, LLC, and we welcome Black Box Charcuterie as our newest member.  Accepting this award is Ali DelSerro.