Martinsburg Borough Council Minutes

Meeting Overview

The Martinsburg Borough Council held its regular meeting on Monday, January 6, 2025, at the municipal building. The session began at 7:00 p. m. with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Personnel Changes

• Police Chief Retirement: The Council accepted the resignation and retirement of Police Chief Kerry Hoover, effective May 2, 2025.
• New Police Chief: Assistant Chief Justin Davis was promoted to the position of Chief of Police, effective May 3, 2025.
• Recruitment: The Council approved advertising for a full-time Patrolman in local newspapers and social media until February 3, 2025.

Financial Reports & Bills

• December Bills: The Council approved the List of Bills for December 2024 (check nos. 11567-11600) totaling $120,702. 68. This amount includes a transfer of $45,000 to the Reserve Fund.
• Depositories: The Council voted unanimously to maintain depositories at First National Bank and PLGIT for various funds, including General Fund Checking, Payroll, Recycling, and the Bicentennial Christmas Light Fund.
• Tax Exoneration: A motion was passed to exonerate thirty-four individuals for the 2024-25 Per Capita Tax.

Borough Manager Report (Rich Brantner, Jr. )

• Street Sweeper: The new street sweeper was delivered on Dec 10 and put into use on Dec 11.
• Snow Removal: The first snow of the season was plowed on Dec 15. Approximately 5 inches of snow fell on Jan 6.
• Maintenance: Christmas wreaths were put up on Dec 9 and lights were taken down on Jan 3. A new heater was installed in the truck bay at the ambulance building on Dec 27.
• Compost Pile: The compost pile is overflowing and requires removal. The Council approved a payment of $5,000–$5,500 to T. L. Long Excavating, Inc. to remove the pile from the Reserve Fund.

Police Report (Chief Kerry Hoover)

• Community Events: The police department teamed up with the fire department and ambulance to escort Santa Claus through town.
• Staffing: There were open shifts in November and December due to holidays; Patrolman Thom Lykens was commended for covering many of them.
• Awards: Assistant Chief Justin Davis thanked the council for 2025 wage increases and $100 Christmas gift cards given to employees.

Appointments & Commissions

The Council approved various appointments for commissions, boards, and committees:

Staff Appointments:

• Fire Marshall: Kerry Hoover
• Assistant Chief: Justin Davis
• Solicitor: Evey, Black Attorneys LLC
• Zoning Officer: Richard Brantner, Jr.
• Open Records Officer: Jane Staily
• Deputy Emer. Mgmt. Coordinator: Dustin Russell
• Engineer: Stiffler, McGraw & Associates
• Building Code Inspectors: MDIA and PMCA

Boards & Commissions:

• Zoning Hearing Board: Destarta Carberry (3 yr ending 1/2028)
• Planning Commission: Linda K. Smith (4 yr ending 1/2029)
• Municipal Authority: Jeffrey S. Reil (5 yr ending 1/2030)
• Police Civil Service Commission: James Caporuscio and Christopher E. Brooks (6 yr ending 1/2031)

Committees:

• Pension Committee: Rich Brantner, Jr. , Jane Staily
• 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

Other Business

• Fire Company: Minutes from the Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company meeting on Dec 9, 2024, were included. The fire company received their new utility truck, though it is not yet in service.
• Audit: Ritchey, Ritchey & Koontz was appointed as the Independent Auditor for the fiscal year ending 12/31/2025.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p. m.