Martinsburg Borough Council Minutes

Meeting Overview

The Martinsburg Borough Council held its regular meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023, at 7:00 p. m. in the municipal building. The meeting was presided over by Mayor Richard A. Brantner and attended by Council members P. Robert Dickson, Durban D. Metzler, Charles E. Kensinger, Edward L. Bennett, Janet E. Blattenberger, James C. Dell, and Darin B. Meck.

Financial Reports and Approvals

• Minutes: The minutes from the June 5, 2023 meeting were approved unanimously.
• Financial Reports: Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily presented the financial and treasurer’s reports for June 2023.
• List of Bills: A list of bills totaling $73,877. 04 (including a $10,000 transfer to the Reserve Fund) was approved unanimously on a motion by Charles Kensinger.
• Tax Exoneration: The council authorized the exoneration of forty-one individuals for the 2022-23 per capita tax.

Borough Manager Report (Rich Brantner)

The manager provided updates on various infrastructure and administrative tasks completed in June:

• June 6: Attended a water/sewer class in Altoona.
• June 8: Repaired a water leak on a 6-inch main.
• June 13: Received a pump back for the wastewater treatment plant after warranty work.
• June 15: Installed the pump in the wet well at the wastewater treatment plant.
• June 15: The DEP announced a statewide drought watch for voluntary water conservation.
• June 28: Sprayed weeds along curbs throughout the borough.
• June 30: Acquired a new computer for approximately $1,400; costs will be split between the borough, water, and sewer departments.

Public Safety and Ordinances

• Police Report: Chief Kerry Hoover presented the police report. He noted that the department is preparing for the Park Carnival and thanked the fire company for retrieving ducklings from a storm sewer.
• Fireworks Ordinance: Chief Hoover suggested reviewing the fireworks ordinance due to confusion in its current wording. A committee (Darin Meck, Durban Metzler, James Dell, and Kerry Hoover) was appointed to review the ordinance for compliance with Act 74 of 2022.
• Police Policies: Chief Hoover is reviewing police policies; Attorney Nathan Karn advised that the council must provide final approval.
• Hiring: The police department is extending its deadline for hiring additional employees. The council discussed paying for cadettes to attend the police academy, noting that MPOETC reimburses partial costs.

Administrative and Community Updates

• Ordinance Information: Council member Janet Blattenberger suggested providing basic ordinance information to new residents, potentially via the borough website.
• Infrastructure: A deep pothole behind the old municipal building is scheduled to be patched this summer.
• Traffic: Blattenberger noted increased traffic due to a new business moving into the Old Morristons Cove Herald building.
• Fire Company: The Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company held a successful ox roast and raffle, generating 100% profit for the company.
• Street Sweeper: No change in status regarding grants for a street sweeper; funds are not expected until August or September.
• Attorney Update: Attorney Nathan Karn will be on a mission trip and will not attend the August meeting. His representative, Attorney Jeff Muriceak, will attend in his place.

Adjournment

An executive session was held following the adjournment to discuss personnel matters. The meeting officially adjourned at 7:40 p. m.