Martinsburg Borough Council Minutes

Meeting Overview

The regular meeting of the Martinsburg Borough Council was held on Monday, June 5, 2023, at the municipal building. The meeting began at 7:00 p. m. with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Elected Officials Present:

• 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

Absent: Mayor Richard Brantner (Sr. )

Financial Reports and Bills

Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily presented the financial reports for May 2023. The council approved the list of bills (check numbers 11044-11069) totaling $191,780. 19. This amount includes a $70,000 transfer to the Reserve Fund. The motion passed unanimously.

Borough Manager Report (May Activities)

Manager Rich Brantner provided a report on activities that occurred in May:

• May 2: The borough crew began painting the inside of the municipal authority’s rental house after the tenant moved out.
• May 5: A meeting was held with the Zimmermans and their contractor regarding a project expected to start in July or August.
• May 6: An electrical transformer shorted out in front of Martinsburg Pizza, causing a power outage at the signal light for 5-6 hours. A generator was set up with assistance from Chief Hoover.
• May 9: The borough officially began supplying water to Curryville, which will be billed monthly.
• May 18: The municipal authority awarded the E. Christiana Street waterline project to T. L. Long Excavating (the next lowest bidder) because the lowest bidder had missing items in their contract. Work is hoped to start around August.
• May 22: River rock was placed around the generator at the municipal building.
• May 23: Shrubs at the municipal building were mulched.
• May 24: A test was conducted on the new emergency call system, RAVE.
• May 25: Turning arrows, stop bars, crosswalks, and parking lot markings were painted downtown.
• May 26: Parking spots were painted at the municipal building and ambulance building.

Other Reports and Updates

• Police Report: Lieutenant Justin Davis presented the police report as written.
• Mayor’s Report: Mayor Richard Brantner (Sr. ) was absent, but his written report was presented.
• PFAS Water Testing: Attorney Nathan Karn reported that the municipal authority is subject to new water testing rules due to traces of PFAS found in one well. The source is likely fire-fighting foam from the airport. A filter system will be needed to remove PFAS, though levels are currently low. The authority is part of national litigation against manufacturers to help pay for testing costs.
• Old Morisons Cove Herald Building: Durbin Metzler reported that Ty Nevins is moving into the building to operate a T-shirt silk screening business.
• Police Employment: The council is continuing to extend deadlines for police employment applications.
• Pollution Liability Insurance: Manager Brantner noted that The Teeter Group offered a policy for $1,200/year for the borough and $3,600/year for the municipal authority. The council decided not to purchase this policy at this time, as the borough only has new fuel tanks inside the garage.
• Audits: Young, Oakes, Brown and Company is conducting the 2022 Annual Audit of the municipal authority. The 2022 Highway Liquid Fuels audit is scheduled for June 7.
• Volunteer Fire Company: The Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company’s 2023 Ox Roast is scheduled for June 16 & 17. Minutes from March, April, and May meetings were included in the agenda packet.

The meeting adjourned at 7:43 p. m. on a motion by Ed Bennett, seconded by Darin Meck.