HELLERTOWN, Pa. — Larry O’Donnell, a 15-year borough resident, was appointed in June to fill a council vacancy through the end of the year.
O’Donnell received nearly 20% of the Democratic vote in the Hellertown Borough Council primary and was nominated to run in the November general election.
He volunteers with the borough Planning Commission, Hellertown Historical Society and previously led Friends of the Hellertown Area Library.
He’s the assistant director at Lehigh Learning Academy in Nazareth, which includes students from the Saucon Valley School District, and an Eagle Scout volunteering with Pennsylvania’s Troop 743 and New Jersey’s Troop 84.
"Volunteerism and public service has been in my blood since I was a teenager, and I really feel that I have skills appropriate to help the borough.”Newly appointed Hellertown Borough Councilman Larry O'Donnell
“I like to give back,” O’Donnell said at the June 2 meeting. “Volunteerism and public service has been in my blood since I was a teenager, and I really feel that I have skills appropriate to help the borough.”
He replaces former Councilwoman Terri Fadem, who was elected in 2021 and recently took a job with the borough as zoning and code enforcement officer. She also received more than 20% of the Democratic vote in the general election for Northampton County Council.
In her resignation on May 19, Fadem said serving on council was “one of the greatest honors of my life.”
“Hellertown is more than just where I live — it is my community, my home, and a place I care about deeply,” Fadem said. “I want to extend my sincerest thanks to the Borough of Hellertown for entrusting me with this responsibility.
“I will always be proud of the work we have done together and will continue to support Hellertown in every way I can.”
'I have learned so much'
O’Donnell holds a bachelor of arts degree in English and technical writing from Penn State and a master’s in nonprofit management from Villanova.
He told council he wants more people involved in the local government process.
O’Donnell said he’s personally enjoyed just diving in and taking part in the behind-the-scenes work.
“I know you’re definitely a bright guy, committed. Community service is part of your DNA, and that’s pretty obvious to me.”Hellertown Borough Councilman Andrew Hughes to newly appointed Councilman Larry O’Donnell
“I have learned so much from the amount of road salt we consume in a year to how many square feet of green space new buildings require,” he wrote in his May 20 letter of intent to officials.
Councilman Andrew Hughes said to O’Donnell, “I know you’re definitely a bright guy, committed. Community service is part of your DNA, and that’s pretty obvious to me.”
