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Meeting Overview

The Martinsburg Borough Council held its regular meeting on Monday, December 4, 2023, at the municipal building. The session began at 7:00 p. m. with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Key Attendees:

• Council Present: Mayor Richard A. Brantner, President P. Robert Dickson, Vice-President Durban Metzler, Pro-tem Charles E. Kensinger, Councilwoman Janet E. Blattenberger, Councilman James C. Dell, and Councilman Darin B. Meck.
• Absent: Ed Bennett.
• Staff & Others Present: Manager Richard Brantner, Jr. , Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily, Chief Kerry Hoover, Attorney Nathan Karn, Representative Jim Gregory, and new Borough Office Clerk Amy Hockenberry.

Reports and Updates

• Representative Jim Gregory: Noted he is working with Borough Manager Rich Brantner to get the state to repave a town intersection, hoping for completion this spring. He also announced he hired Rick Boston as the new photographer for the Morrisons Cove Herald.
• Police Report (Chief Kerry Hoover):
  • Police policy manuals need renewal; three copies are currently in the municipal office.
  • The department is organizing a "Christmas Cruise" with Santa driving emergency vehicles through town and retirement communities. This event, which started in 2020, is tentatively scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, December 19, 2023.
• Borough Manager Report (Rich Brantner, Jr.):
  • Nov 9: Attended training on PFAS water sampling procedures at the Altoona Water Authority. All public water facilities must sample for this in the new year.
  • Nov 15: SRBC inspected the borough's four wells.
  • Nov 16: Insurance company conducted a walkthrough of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Water Tank.
  • Nov 22: Borough crew used a street sweeper for leaves.
  • Nov 29: Renee Gunnett’s last day of work.
  • Dec 4: Mingle Construction and T. L. Long Excavating began excavating for the new Zimmermans Dentistry building on Penn Street.

Ordinances and Resolutions Adopted

The Council adopted several tax ordinances for 2024, maintaining current rates. Roll call votes were unanimous (6 Yays, 0 Nays) for the following:

• Ordinance No. 2023-646 (Per Capita Tax): Maintained at $5. 00.
• Ordinance No. 2023-647 (Earned Income Tax): Maintained at ½ of 1 percent.
• Ordinance No. 2023-648 (Local Services Tax): Maintained at $52.
• Resolution No. 2023-1204-01 (Real Estate Tax): Maintained at a rate of 1. 967 mills.

Other Actions:

• Snow Emergency Ordinances: Review of Nos. 489 and 521. Ordinance 521 added a portion of N. Market Street to the snow emergency list.
• Compost Fees: Council approved increasing the cost of compost keys from $20 to $30. This motion passed 5-1 (Janet Blattenberger voted nay).
• Tax Exonerations: Authorized the exoneration of 89 individuals for the 2023-24 Per Capita Tax.
• Police Agreement: The 2024-2025 Huston Township Police Agreement was agreed upon by both the Council and Supervisors, pending execution.

Community and Budget Matters

• 2024 Budget: Adopted unanimously. It requires no real estate tax increase.
• Christmas Tree Proposal: Durban Metzler reported that the Revitalization Committee suggested planting a pine tree on the corner lot of E. Allegheny and S. Walnut Street for an annual lighting ceremony. Charles Kensinger suggested a temporary tree might be better, noting there is currently no electricity on that lot.
• Grocery Store: Metzler suggested the council be more proactive in community development to prevent future business losses.
• Drive-Through Restaurant: Janet Blattenberger noted a need for one, though it was mentioned that many local restaurants already offer free curb delivery.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p. m. An executive session was scheduled to follow for informational purposes.