Martinsburg Borough Council Minutes

Meeting Overview

The reorganizational meeting of the Martinsburg Borough Council was held on January 5, 2026, 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 & Oath of Office

The following officials were present and administered the Oath of Office by Magisterial District Judge Andrew Blattenberger:

• Mayor: Richard A. Brantner, Sr.
• Councilmen: Charles E. Kensinger, Mark K. Gartland, James C. Dell, Edward L. Bennett
• Tax Collector: M. Jane Staily

Officers Elected

The Council elected the following officers by majority vote:

• President: Rob Dickson (7 yays, 0 nays)
• Vice-President: Darin Meck (7 yays, 0 nays)
• Pro-Tempore: Neil Gartland (7 yays, 0 nays)

Commissions & Staff Appointments

The Council appointed members to retain commissions and approved several staff appointments:

Commissions:

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

Key Staff Appointments (Unanimous Approval):

• Fire Marshall: Justin Davis
• Solicitor: Evy, Black Attorneys LLC
• Zoning Officer: Richard Brantner, Jr.
• Open Records Officer: Jane Staily
• Deputy Emer. Mgmt. Coordinator: Dustin Russell
• Engineer: Stiffler, McGraw & Associates
• Zoning Solicitor: Atty. Shawn Sullivan
• Building Code Inspectors: MDIA and PMCA
• Auditor (Fiscal Year ending 12/31/2025): Ritchey, Ritchey & Koontz
• Receiver of Taxes for LST: Blair County Tax Collection Bureau

Board Appointments

• Zoning Hearing Board: Joe Logan and Gordon Hockenberry (3-year terms ending 1/2029). Note: Gordon Hockenberry replaced Mark Gartland, who is no longer eligible as an elected councilman.
• Planning Commission: William C. Lewis (4-year term ending 1/2030).
• Municipal Authority: Walter D. Foor (5-year term ending 1/2031).
• Vacancy Board: Vacancy since Jan 2016.

Committees Appointed

• Pension Committee: Rich Brantner, Jr. , Jane Staily
• Emp. Med. Reimb. Com. : Rich Brantner, Jr. , Rob Dickson
• Revitalization Committee: Rich Brantner, Jr.
• Recycling Committee: Ed Bennett, James Dell
• Community Development Com. : Ed Bennett, Rich Brantner, Jr.
• Personnel Committee: Rob Dickson, Darin Meck, Neil Gartland
• Government Advisory Committee: Richard A. Brantner, Sr.

Financial Matters

• Depositories: The Council approved maintaining depositories at First National Bank (General Fund Checking/Reserve, Payroll, Equipment, Recycling) and PLGIT (Building Maintenance, Highway, Police Pistol Range, Bicentennial/Christmas Light, Medical Care Reimb Plan, Revitalization Project).
• Check Signatories: P. Rob Dickson (President), Darin B. Meck (Vice-President), Neil E. Gartland (Pro Tem), and M. Jane Staily (Secretary/Treasurer).
• Reports: Financial and Treasurer’s Reports for December 2025 were presented by Treasurer Jane Staily.
• Minutes: The minutes from the December 1, 2025 meeting were approved.

Solicitation Ordinance Review

The Council discussed Solicitation Ordinance No. 551 (adopted Nov 1, 2004). Current permits are issued by the police department for $20. Chief Davis requested that permits be issued through the borough office due to more regular hours.

• Action: President Rob Dickson appointed a committee consisting of James Dell, Charles Kensinger, Justin Davis, and Rich Brantner, Jr. to research other communities' practices and recommend changes to the ordinance.

Adjournment

An executive session was scheduled following the meeting to discuss litigation from Kevin Smith. The regular meeting adjourned at 7:51 p. m. on a motion by Darin Meck, seconded by James Dell.