Palmerton is on the lookout for a new leader to guide it into the future.

With regret, borough council on a 6-0 vote Thursday accepted the retirement of borough Manager Donna McGarry, effective April 11.

Afterward, council agreed to hire the Lafayette College Meyner Center at the rate of $105 an hour, with an amount not to exceed $7,000, to help it find McGarry’s eventual successor.

McGarry became borough manager in April 2019, after she succeeded longtime borough Manager Rodger Danielson.

After the meeting, McGarry, 61, said she has been employed by the borough for 35 years.

“I have considered (retirement) for some time,” McGarry said. “I do believe the borough is moving forward in so many good ways.”

McGarry said she believes her eventual departure will pave the way for her successor to bring fresh concepts to the borough.

“We have such a good council,” she said. “It’s a good opportunity for someone to come in with different and new ideas.”

McGarry’s salary is $86,000.

Councilman Michael Ballard was absent.