MARTINSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES

Meeting Overview

The reorganizational meeting of the Martinsburg Borough Council was held on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at the municipal building. The session began at 7:00 p. m. with a prayer by Richard Brantner, Jr. , and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Oath of Office

Prior to the official start of the meeting, Magisterial District Judge Andrew Blattenberger administered the Oath of Office to three council members for four-year terms:

• P. Robert Dickson
• Neil E. Gartland
• Darin B. Meck

Council Leadership Elections

Mayor Richard A. Brantner called the meeting to order and presided over the election of council officers.

• President: Rob Dickson was elected by a majority vote (5 yays, 2 nays).
• Vice-President: Ed Bennett was elected unanimously.
• Pro-Tempore: Charles Kensinger was elected unanimously.

Public Service Updates

Representatives from the Hollidaysburg American Legion Ambulance Service attended to address council concerns. Key points included:

• Billing Changes: The service recently took billing back in-house after outsourcing did not go well.
• Governance: They are cleaning up issues regarding the previous board president who was let go.
• Service Area: The ambulance service covers 9 townships and communities.

Staff and Commission Appointments

The council approved several staff appointments and retained commissions for existing members.

Staff Appointments (Unanimous Approval):

• Fire Marshall: Kerry Hoover
• Assistant Chief: Justin Davis
• Solicitor: Evey, Black Attorneys LLC
• Zoning Officer: Richard Brantner, Jr.
• Chief Administrative Officer of the Pension Plan: Jane Staily
• Deputy Emer. Mgmt. Coordinator: Dustin Russell
• Engineer: Stiffler, McGraw & Associates
• Zoning Solicitor: Atty. Shawn Sullivan
• Building Code Inspectors: MDIA

Retained Commissions:

• Safety: Charles Kensinger
• Streets: James Dell
• Finance: Rob Dickson
• Property: Darin Meck
• Water/Sewer: Neil Gartland

Other Appointments:

• Independent Auditor (Fiscal Year ending 12/31/2023): Ritchey, Ritchey & Koontz
• Receiver of Taxes for LST: Blair County Tax Collection Bureau

Board and Committee Appointments

The council made appointments to various boards and committees.

Zoning Hearing Board:

• Mark Gartland: Appointed for a 3-year term ending 1/2026.
• Janet Blattenberger: A motion to appoint her as Alternate 1 was RESCINDED pending research into eligibility rules for elected officials serving on this board.

Planning Commission:

• Nathan P. Ormsby: 4-year term ending 1/2028.
• Darin B. Meck: 4-year term ending 1/2028.

Municipal Authority:

• Rodney A. Weyant: 5-year term ending 1/2029.
• Jeffrey G. Gunnett: 5-year term ending 1/2029.

Committees:

• Pension Committee: Rich Brantner, Jr. , Jane Staily
• Emp. Med. Reimb. Com. : Rich Brantner, Jr. , Rob Dickson
• Revitalization Committee: Rich Brantner, Jr. , Janet Blattenberger
• Recycling Committee: Ed Bennett, James Dell
• Community Development Com. : Ed Bennett, Rich Brantner, Jr.
• Personnel Committee: Rob Dickson, Ed Bennett, Charles Kensinger

Personnel News

Anna Miller of the Morrison Cove Herald announced her departure from the newspaper to take a new job in Altoona effective January 16, 2024. The council thanked her for her attendance at monthly meetings and noted she will be missed by the community.