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MARTINSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES

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Meeting Overview

The regular meeting of the Martinsburg Borough Council was held on Monday, March 7, 2022, at the municipal building. The session began at 7:00 p. m. with a prayer by Richard Brantner, Jr. , and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Elected Officials Present:

  • Mayor Richard A. Brantner
  • President P. Robert Dickson
  • Vice-President Durban D. Metzler
  • Pro-tem Charles E. Kensinger
  • Councilwoman Janet E. Blattenberger
  • Councilman James C. Dell
  • Councilman Darin B. Meck

(Note: Ed Bennett was absent. )

Other Attendees: Manager Richard Brantner, Jr. , Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily, Chief Kerry Hoover, Lt. Justin Davis, Attorney Matt Gieg, Sandy Weyandt, Don Corl, and Anna Baughman (Morrisons Cove Herald).

Key Decisions & Resolutions

2nd Amendment Sanctuary Resolution

The council addressed a resolution regarding the "2nd Amendment Sanctuary" status. Don Corl of the Blair County Tea Party had requested a tabling of the resolution to allow for amendments, arguing the original draft was too weak. However, Attorney Matt Gieg recommended approving the original draft to align with the November referendum.

  • Action: Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-0307-01.
  • Outcome: The resolution declares Martinsburg Borough a Second Amendment Sanctuary and prohibits the use of taxpayer resources to enforce legislation passed after November 2, 2021, that infringes on the right to bear arms.
  • Vote: Passed unanimously.
  • Authorization: President P. Robert Dickson and Secretary/Treasurer M. Jane Staily were authorized to execute the resolution.

Ukraine Support Motion

Following a report from Mayor Brantner commending President Zelenski, the council moved to support Ukraine.

  • Motion: Made by Charles Kensinger and seconded by James Dell.
  • Outcome: Council commended the Ukrainian people for their courage, resilience, and unity in fighting against invading forces.
  • Vote: Passed unanimously.

Financial Reports & Bills

  • Minutes: The minutes from the February 7, 2022 meeting were approved unanimously.
  • Financial Reports: Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily presented the Financial and Treasurer’s Reports for February 2022.
  • List of Bills: The list of bills for February 2022 (check nos. 10618-10636) totaling $64,713.28 was approved. This amount includes a transfer of $60,000 to the Reserve Fund.
    • Motion: Made by Janet Blattenberger, seconded by Durban Metzler.
    • Vote: Passed unanimously.

Borough Manager & Department Reports

Borough Manager Rich Brantner

  • Snow/Ice: Crews dealt with snow and ice on Feb 7 and Feb 25.
  • Training: Jane Staily, Brian Miller, Mayor Richard Brantner (Sr. ), Darin Meck, Charles Kensinger, and James Dell completed various training classes including ICS 100 and NIMS.
  • Fire Company: The fire company held a ribbon-cutting and open house on Feb 26.
  • Spring Clean-Up: Manager Brantner is attempting to get Burgmeier Hauling to participate in a shredding event for the Spring Clean-Up.
  • Gas Prices: Noted that high gas prices are straining the 2022 budget, with costs rising up to $0. 20 a day.
  • Audit: Ritchey, Ritchey, Koontz has started the audit for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.

Police Report (Chief Hoover)

  • Ukraine: Chief Hoover expressed support for the Ukraine motion.
  • Nuisance Ordinance: February was busy with properties violating the Nuisance Ordinance. Citations are being delayed until at least April 24th to allow property owners a chance to utilize the free spring clean-up on April 23rd.

Other Updates

  • W. Gene Henry Memorial: Charles Kensinger reported that Franklin Bronze Plaques completed the memorial plaque (approx. 100 lbs). It will be displayed at the municipal building. Granite for the final memorial is ordered and expected by June.
  • American Rescue Plan: Attorney Gieg noted regulations have loosened, allowing funds to be put into the general fund. Money must be pledged by 2024 and spent by 2026. A generator purchase is expected to arrive around August 2022.
  • Highway Liquid Fuels Tax Fund: An audit report for the period Jan 1, 2019 – Dec 31, 2020 was received.
  • SCCBA Dinner Meeting: Jim Dell attended a meeting on March 2, 2022, regarding Blair County Demolition Fund Guidelines.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p. m. on a motion by Durban Metzler, seconded by Darin Meck. The motion passed unanimously.

Submitted by: M. Jane Staily, Borough Secretary

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