A vintage time capsule won’t occupy property in Palmerton.

On a 6-0 vote, borough council on Thursday denied putting it on borough property.

No other discussion on the matter took place.

Councilwoman Holly Hausman Sell was absent.

After the meeting, borough Manager Autumn Canfield said there were “difficulties with each proposed location.”

Council’s decision comes after resident William Strauch again last month appeared before borough council seeking permission to install the recently reacquired time capsule in Palmerton Borough Park.

Strauch said at that time the goal is to preserve a piece of the community’s history at little to no cost to taxpayers. The capsule was designed by a local sculptor and built by veterans from the Palmerton West Plant of the New Jersey Zinc Company. It was buried in the borough park in 1987 and unearthed in 2012.

After being preserved for years by one of its original fabricators, the capsule was returned to the borough upon his death and was donated for permanent display.

Calling the structure both artwork and a historical artifact, Strauch said he hopes it can be installed in a highly visible location in the borough park, possibly near the police station or flagpole.

Strauch said the capsule represents an important part of Palmerton’s identity and should remain accessible to residents.

The 12-foot by 14-foot centennial time capsule was designed by the late Warren E. Siegmond and built by the New Jersey Zinc Co.

The rocket, named the S.S. Palmer Enterprise, was buried in the southwest corner of the borough park on Oct. 8, 1988.

The capsule was then dug up in August 2012 by Matt Lang, of Lang’s Landscaping & Tree Service, Palmerton, in preparation for the construction of the Palmerton Veterans Memorial.

The Veterans Memorial was dedicated on Veterans Day in November 2012.

Council previously asked Strauch is he had any input from the Palmerton Area Historical Society. and pointed out that the capsule that appears to be a rocket, not a traditional time capsule.

In his mind, Gallagher said a time capsule is an inground, waterproof container, identified by a plaque or stone above and scheduled to be opened after an appropriate time frame such as 25, 50 or 100 years.

Gallagher said the previous time capsule appears to be a weapon of war and misconstrued as a part of the memorial, so he doesn’t feel the location is appropriate.

Gallagher said Palmerton American Legion members discussed placing the time capsule by the memorial and unanimously voted against that location.

Another area that was suggested for the time capsule was Elmer Valo Field on South Third Street.

Strauch said he’s also a veteran and didn’t want to take anything away from veterans, but doesn’t believe hiding it by the sewer plant is reasonable.

Council President Terry Costenbader said at that time he thought the Palmerton Area Historical Society should be taking care of the capsule.

Representatives of the Palmerton Area Historical Society, assisted by members of the Aquashicola Fire Company opened it in the borough garage, a process that took over an hour with the use of grinding equipment.

Many of the items inside the capsule were found to be in various stages of mildewing and damage.