Martinsburg Borough Council Minutes

Meeting Overview

The regular meeting of the Martinsburg Borough Council was held on Monday, June 3, 2024, at the municipal building. The session began at 7:00 p. m. with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Elected Officials Present:

• Mayor Richard A. Brantner
• President P. Robert Dickson
• Vice-President Ed Bennett
• Pro-Tem Charles E. Kensinger
• Councilwoman Janet E. Blattenberger
• Councilman James C. Dell
• Councilman Neil E. Gartland
• Councilman Darin B. Meck

Other Attendees: Borough Manager Richard Brantner, Jr. , Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily, Assistant Chief Justin Davis, Attorney Nathan Karn, and representatives from the Morrisons Cove Herald.

Financial Reports

• Minutes: The minutes from the May 6, 2024 meeting were approved unanimously.
• Financials: Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily presented the financial and treasurer’s reports for May 2024.
• Bills: The list of bills for May 2024 (check numbers 11357-11384) totaling $153,170. 28 was approved unanimously on a motion by Charles Kensinger.

Departmental Reports

Police Report

Assistant Police Chief Justin Davis presented the report, which included statistics for a new Solar Speed Sign.

• Installation: The fourth solar speed sign was installed on N. Market Street near the borough line on May 29th.
• Electric Scooters: Chief Hoover researched local regulations and determined that electric scooters do not qualify as "assist mobile devices. " Consequently, PennDOT does not permit them on streets within the commonwealth. Residents must be 16+ to ride electric bikes, a rule that differs from scooter regulations.

Borough Manager Report

Borough Manager Rich Brantner provided updates on various municipal activities:

• May 13: Banners were installed on poles.
• May 14: Amy Hockenberry began online classes to become a Notary for the borough and municipal authority.
• May 16: A meeting was held with the Blair County Airport manager and municipal engineer regarding the placement of a Water Storage Tank on airport property.
• May 20: Attended a Hazard Mitigation meeting at the Logan Township building with county municipalities.
• May 28: Met with Pennvest and the municipal engineer regarding grants and loans for the airport water tank.
• May 29: Installed the fourth solar speed sign on N. Market Street.
• Soil Testing: Approximately $6,000 has been paid to geologist Gary Calvert for soil testing at the 114 W. Penn Street Lot.

New Business & Resolutions

Curbing at 114 W. Penn Street

Jonathan and Megan Zimmerman, building a new dentist office at 114 W. Penn Street, requested borough assistance with the cost of curbing. While property owners typically pay for curbing, the borough has occasionally assisted in the past (e. g. , Blattenberger Street). The council noted that curbing would aid snow plowing and improve the block's appearance.

• Decision: The council approved allocating $2,000 toward the curbing.
• Vote: Passed with 5 yays and 2 nays (Ed Bennett and Janet Blattenberger voted no).

Uniform Construction Code

Attorney Nathan Karn reported that Frankstown Township wishes to join the existing Blair Region Code Administration Committee. This requires an update to the Articles of Agreement.

• Decision: Council approved adopting Resolution No. 2024-0603-01 to join the committee and executing an updated Joint Articles of Agreement for the Blair Region Uniform Construction Code Board of Appeals.
• Vote: Passed unanimously.

Other Updates

• Paving: Grannas Brothers may begin paving on Friday or the following Monday. They will mill only the street directly in front of driveways.
• Landscaping: The Boosters marked off a lot on the corner of E. Allegheny and S. Walnut Streets for a landscaping project but were not yet prepared to discuss their plans.
• Memorial Park: A thank you was received from the Morrisons Cove Memorial Park for 2024 allocations totaling $1,500.
• Fire Company: The Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company’s Annual Ox Roast is scheduled for June 14-15.

The meeting adjourned at 7:44 p. m. on a motion by Neil Gartland, seconded by James Dell.