Martinsburg Borough Council Minutes
Meeting Overview
The regular meeting of the Martinsburg Borough Council was held on Monday, April 1, 2024, at 7:00 p. m. in the municipal building.
Elected Officials Present:
- President P. Robert Dickson
- Vice-President Ed Bennett
- Pro-Tem Charles E. Kensinger
- Councilwoman Janet E. Blattenberger
- Councilman James C. Dell
- Councilman Neil E. Gartland
- Councilman Darin B. Meck
Absent: Mayor Richard Brantner
Library Update
Danette Feathers, Library Director, provided a synopsis of library operations and thanked the council for their support and annual donation. The library also received a generous donation from the W. Gene Henry Memorial Fund.
Financial Reports & Approvals
- Minutes: The minutes from the March 4, 2024 meeting were approved unanimously.
- Financial Reports: Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily presented the March 2024 reports.
- List of Bills: The list of bills for March 2024 (check nos. 11301-11329) totaling $106,378. 49 was approved unanimously on a motion by Charles Kensinger, seconded by Janet Blattenberger.
Police Report & Solar Speed Signs
Chief Kerry Hoover presented the police report and discussed the installation of three Solar Speed Signs on S. Market Street, W. Allegheny Street, and E. Allegheny Street.
- Data: The signs record average speeds, maximum speeds, and vehicle counts per hour.
- Effectiveness: The sign on the west end of town has noticeably reduced incoming speeds.
- Future Plans: Chief Hoover recommended ordering a fourth sign for N. Market Street. The budget for solar signs is $12,000, with $9,600 already spent. He was asked to check pricing for the next meeting.
2024 Paving Project
Manager Rich Brantner met with PennDOT to prepare the bid proposal for the 2024 Paving Project. The following streets are scheduled to be paved:
- Christiana Street: from Market to Wall
- Forshey Street: from Market to Nicodemus
- Wall Street: from Allegheny to Woodlawn
- N. Railroad Street: from Allegheny to Julian
- North 1st Alley: from N. Market to the funeral parking lot
- North 1st Alley: from the funeral parking lot to Wall Street
- Locust Street: from Spring Drive to S. Third Alley
Concerns Raised: Councilman Ed Bennett raised concerns about the milling process, noting that if streets are not milled low enough, new pavement height could cause flooding and require homeowners to rebuild curbs. This concern will be communicated to Manager Brantner.
Motion: The council approved advertising the 2024 Paving Project for bid proposals unanimously.
PennDOT Paving Schedule
PennDOT’s paving project is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 8 through April 12.
- North and South Market Street (Rt. 866): From Cross Cove Road to Forshey Street.
- E. Allegheny Street: From the signal light to about the Subway restaurant.
- W. Allegheny Street: From the signal light to Nicodemus Street.
Municipal Authority Grants
Neil Gartland reported that the Martinsburg Municipal Authority was awarded two Community Project Fund Appropriation Grants in March:
- $1,000,000 for the Elevated Storage Tank Project.
- $701,440 for the Hershberger Well Transmission Main.
Community Events
- Spring Cleanup: Scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 9:00 a. m. to 2:00 p. m.
- 2024 Agricultural Parade: Scheduled for July 9, 2024. The council approved a motion to allow pertinent streets to be closed for the parade, subject to Morrisons Cove Memorial Park obtaining necessary PennDOT permits.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p. m. on a motion by Neil Gartland, seconded by Darin Meck.