Martinsburg Borough Council Minutes

Meeting Overview

The regular meeting of the Martinsburg Borough Council was held on Monday, February 6, 2023, at 7:00 p. m. in the municipal building. The meeting began with a prayer by Richard Brantner, Jr. , and the Pledge of Allegiance.

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
• Councilman James C. Dell
• Councilman Darin B. Meck

Other Attendees: Manager Richard Brantner, Jr. , Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily, Chief Kerry Hoover, Lt. Justin Davis, Attorney Nathan Karn, and representatives from the Morrisons Cove Herald.

Borough Manager Report (Rich Brantner)

The manager provided updates on various municipal activities:

• Infrastructure: The borough’s new truck arrived at Stucky’s on January 26 for plow and dump bed installation. The old dump truck sale is being held off until the new one arrives (expected mid-March).
• Utilities: A scheduled power outage occurred on January 7. The municipal authority adopted their 2023 budget on January 19.
• Inspections: The DEP conducted an inspection at the wastewater treatment plant on January 17.
• Personnel: Manager Brantner’s son, Jordan Brantner, is interested in a vacancy on the Hollidaysburg Ambulance Board. Mark Gartland is interested in a vacancy on the Zoning Hearing Board.
• Legal: Attorney Nathan Karn was introduced as the borough’s new solicitor.

Financial Reports and Approvals

Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily presented financial reports for December 21–31, 2022, and January 2023.

• December Bills: The list of bills (check nos. 10933-10940) totaling $3,290. 18 was approved unanimously on a motion by Councilwoman Blattenberger.
• January Bills: The list of bills (check nos. 10941-10966) totaling $63,726. 47 was approved unanimously on a motion by Vice-President Metzler.
• Recycling Grant: Councilman Bennett reported receiving a recycling grant of $1,373. 01 on January 30, 2023.

Police Department Updates

Chief Kerry Hoover reported on departmental activities and hiring:

• Tragedy: One officer was killed and another injured in McKeesport while responding to a domestic dispute. The council was asked to keep them in their prayers.
• Hiring: Only two applications for hire have been received so far. To improve recruitment, the council approved advertising on the Chiefs of Police website for $200 for a 90-day period. This site has 14,000 followers and is considered a good circulation for hiring.
• Equipment: A cruiser was taken to Team Force on February 3 to transfer equipment to a new car.

New Police Reporting System (cNet)

Eight police departments in south Blair County are seeking a new reporting system.

• Cost Analysis: The borough was previously paying $1,542/year. The new rate is $1,620/year. However, the cNet program offers a one-year subscription for $1,083. 64.
• Decision: The council approved purchasing the cNet program plan for a one-time upfront cost of $10,478. 08, to be paid from the American Rescue Plan.

New Truck Funding

The council addressed funding for the new truck, noting there is more money in the Highway Liquid Fuels Fund than originally budgeted.

• Funding Breakdown: The payment of $25,000 for the new truck will be split as follows:
  • $25,000 from the Highway Liquid Fuels Fund
  • $15,000 from the Equipment Fund
  • $20,000 from the American Rescue Plan

Police Wages

The council approved wage structures for police officers effective immediately:

• Part-time officers: $20. 00 per hour with no benefits.
• Full-time officer: $20. 00 per hour with benefits.

W. Penn Street Lot and Well Testing

Regarding the Zimmerman family's plan to build a dental office on W. Penn Street, geologist Gary Calvert recommended testing wells due to soil contamination concerns.

• Well Testing: The council approved proceeding with well testing on the contaminated lot. The estimated cost is $4,081. 00. The borough will pay one-half ($2,040. 50), and the Zimmermans will pay the other half.
• Ordinance: The council authorized Attorney Karn to prepare an ordinance banning new well drilling in the borough. Existing wells can still be used for watering but not drinking water.

Other Business

• Act 151 of 2022: Attorney Karn informed the council about amendments to the breach of personal information notification act, effective May 22, 2023. This now explicitly applies to municipalities and requires encryption of personal information.
• Volunteer Fire Company: Minutes from the December 12, 2022, meeting of the Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company were included in the agenda packet.

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p. m. on a motion by Councilman Bennett, seconded by Councilman Meck.