Martinsburg Borough Council Minutes

Meeting Overview

The Martinsburg Borough Council held its regular meeting on Monday, February 1, 2021, at 7:00 p. m. in the municipal building. The meeting began with a prayer by Richard Brantner, Jr. , and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Attendees:

• In-Person: President P. Robert Dickson, Vice President Durban D. Metzler, and Pro-tem Ed Bennett.
• Via Zoom: Mayor Richard A. Brantner, Sr. , Councilman Neil E. Gartland, Councilman Charles E. Kensinger, Councilman Darin B. Meck, and Councilwoman Linda K. Smith.
• Other Officials Present: Manager Richard Brantner, Jr. , Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily, Chief Kerry Hoover, Lt. Justin Davis, and Attorney Matt Gieg.

Financial Reports & Approvals

Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily presented financial reports for two periods. Both sets of bills were approved unanimously on motions by Councilman Charles Kensinger (seconded by Durban Metzler and Linda Smith, respectively).

• December 21–31, 2020:
  • Check numbers 10219–10237.
  • Total amount: $15,699. 92.
• January 1–20, 2021:
  • Check numbers 10238–10249.
  • Total amount: $14,130. 13.

Departmental Reports

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Richard Brantner, Sr. presented his report as written. Councilman Chuck Kensinger asked if there was public comment regarding the real estate millage increase for 2021. The Mayor noted that comments were minimal, and no one had spoken on the issue.

Police Report

Chief Kerry Hoover reported that the department completed two all-day training sessions for MPOETC Training. Key updates included:

• One in-car camera has been installed.
• All three body cameras are operational and being tested by officers.
• The department is incorporating body camera protocols into the police policy and procedures manual.

Borough Manager’s Report

Manager Rich Brantner provided a status update on various borough activities from January 7 to January 31:

• Jan 7: Christmas lights were taken down.
• Jan 12: A COVID vaccine seminar was held.
• Jan 12: T. L. Long Excavating began work on the forced sewer main for Oakview Estates.
• Jan 21: The municipal authority adopted the Budget for 2021 with no rate increases.
• Jan 25: A water leak occurred on Henry Court Circle.
• Jan 26: Snow and ice were plowed.
• Jan 26: It was learned that PaDEP cancelled statewide recycling grants due to lack of funding; Martinsburg had been receiving approximately $2,000 annually.
• Jan 31: Borough crews plowed streets.

New Business & Announcements

Municipal Building Anniversary

February 5, 2021, marks the ten-year anniversary of moving into the new municipal building. An open house was planned but postponed due to the pandemic.

Infrastructure & Parking

• Sidewalks: New sidewalks will be poured this spring at the demo house located at 310 E. Allegheny Street.
• Parking Restrictions: Manager Brantner requested that parking be prohibited on the portion of S. Walnut Street beside the demo house to keep the intersection clear. A school bus driver had previously expressed gratitude for this change.
• Recognition: Councilman Kensinger suggested recognizing W. Gene Henry for his community contributions, possibly during the July Fourth parade.
• Snowberger Meat Market: Attorney Matt Gieg reported that butchering has been shut down since December 2020. The municipal authority has a large sewer surcharge bill out, and the property was recently liened.
• Parking Safety Issues: Councilman Kensinger addressed two parking concerns:
  1. A large vehicle obstructing views near the post office mail drop box. Ordaining the spot as one-hour parking may help alleviate tenant parking issues in the town center.
  2. Perpendicular parking spaces at Cove Flooring (private property) causing obstruction when pulling out onto S. Market Street. Attorney Gieg recommended writing to PennDOT regarding this issue as it involves a state highway.

Christmas Decorations

Councilwoman Linda Smith reported on the cost of new bows for town center Christmas wreaths. The current bows are five years old and shabby.

• Decision: Council authorized the purchase of thirty new Christmas bows for $7. 99 each from Roots in the Cove.
• Funding: To be paid from the Town Center Revitalization Committee account.

Election Information

The 2021 Municipal Primary Election is scheduled for May 18, 2021. This corrects a previous misreporting by the county website which listed May 11.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p. m. on a motion by Ed Bennett, seconded by Durban Metzler. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted, M. Jane Staily Borough Secretary