MARTINSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING

Meeting Overview

A special meeting of the Martinsburg Borough Council was held on December 15, 2022, at 7:00 p. m. in the municipal building. The primary purpose was to review solicitor proposals and appoint a new solicitor, alongside other general business.

Elected Officials Present:

• Mayor Richard A. Brantner
• President P. Robert Dickson
• Vice-President Durban D. Metzler
• Pro-tem Charles E. Kensinger
• Councilman Edward L. Bennett
• Councilwoman Janet E. Blattenberger (via telephone)
• Darin B. Meck
• Councilman James C. Dell

Other Attendees: Manager Richard Brantner, Jr. , Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily, Chief Kerry Hoover, Lt. Justin Davis, and Nathan Ormsby of the Martinsburg Municipal Authority.

Key Decisions and Actions

Pension Plan Correction

The council addressed a notification from the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System regarding an error in the 2023 Normal Cost rate calculation for the police pension plan.

• Action: The council adopted the revised 2023 MMO for the Uniformed Pension Plan PMRS Plan No. 07-045-3P.
• Amount: $21,186. 00 (correcting a previously approved incorrect amount of $21,092).
• Motion: Made by James Dell, seconded by Ed Bennett. Passed unanimously.

Personnel Matters

• Resignation: The resignation of Patrolman Logan Tornatore, effective December 9, 2022, was accepted.
• Hiring Process: Because the borough is under Civil Service for full-time officer employment, a commission must be activated to hire a replacement. The position will be advertised, and the Civil Service Commission will narrow candidates to the top three for council selection. This process is expected to take up to two months.
• Essential Worker Pay: Council authorized including Patrolman Adam Hauser in the premium pay for essential workers.
  • Amount: $375.
  • Funding Source: American Rescue Plan.
  • Motion: Made by James Dell, seconded by Darin Meck. Passed unanimously.

Financial Administration

• Account Closure: Council approved closing out the W. Gene Henry Memorial Account at First National Bank, as the associated project is paid for and complete.
• Motion: Made by Charles Kensinger, seconded by Ed Bennett. Passed unanimously.

Solicitor Appointment

• Appointment: Attorney Nathan Karn of Evey Black Attorneys LLC was appointed as the new solicitor for the Borough of Martinsburg.
• Effective Date: January 1, 2023.
• Motion: Made by Darin Meck, seconded by Charles Kensinger.

Executive Session

An executive session was held from 7:12 p. m. to 7:45 p. m. to discuss personnel matters. Nathan Ormsby left the meeting at 7:45 p. m.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p. m. on a motion by Ed Bennett, seconded by Darin Meck. The motion passed unanimously.

Submitted by: M. Jane Staily, Borough Secretary