MARTINSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES

Meeting Overview

The regular meeting of the Martinsburg Borough Council was held on Monday, November 7, 2022, at 7:00 p. m. in the municipal building. The meeting began with prayer 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
• Councilman Edward L. Bennett
• Councilwoman Janet E. Blattenberger
• Councilman James C. Dell
• Councilman Darin B. Meck

Other Attendees: Manager Richard Brantner, Jr. , Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily, Chief Kerry Hoover, Attorney Matt Gieg, Sandy Weyandt, Anna Baughman (Morrisons Cove Herald), and intern Trevor Finnegan.

Administrative Reports & Approvals

• Minutes: The minutes for the October 3, 2022 regular meeting and the October 17, 2022 special budget meeting were approved unanimously.
• Financials: The Financial and Treasurer’s Reports for October 2022 were presented by Jane Staily.
• Bills: The List of Bills for October 2022 (checks 10843-10863 totaling $62,075. 62) was approved unanimously on a motion by Councilwoman Blattenberger.

Departmental Updates

Police Report (Chief Hoover):

• New Cruiser: A new police cruiser is scheduled to arrive at the dealership for equipment installation by Team Force.
• Old Vehicle: The Spring Cove School District has agreed to purchase the old police car.
• Community Events: Chief Hoover thanked the fire company for assistance with Trick or Treat patrol. He also participated in the transport of David Defibaugh, a Korean War veteran and Duncansville native, for his burial at Rose Hill Cemetery.
• Visual Alert: The police department is phasing out the Visual Alert reporting program by November 2024. Local departments are planning a new system, potentially funded through the American Rescue Plan.

Borough Manager Report (Rich Brantner, Jr. ):

• W. Gene Henry Memorial: Construction updates included pouring the wall (Oct 4), sidewalk (Oct 7), and planting bushes/river rock (Oct 12). The unveiling on Oct 15 was attended by 40 people.
• Voting Precinct: Precinct No. 1 is being relocated to the Martinsburg Elementary School.
• Banners: "Welcome to Martinsburg" banners were taken down on Oct 20.
• Wastewater Plant: A pump ordered in April was finally received and installed on Oct 24 after six months of using a loaner.
• Compost Pile: T. L. Long Excavating hauled out half of the compost pile on Nov 3.
• Awards: Manager Brantner congratulated Anna Baughman on receiving awards at the Keystone Media Awards Brunch.
• Vehicle Sale: The council authorized the advertisement of the 2006 dump truck for sale, subject to the delivery date of the new truck.

New Business & Motions

Tax Collection (Act 57): Attorney Matt Gieg reported on Act 57 of 2022 regarding the Local Tax Collection Law. The council authorized advertising Ordinance No. 2022-644 to amend the borough’s code, allowing for automatic waiver of penalties for taxpayers who purchased a home within 12 months and did not receive their tax bill.

Curryville Water Interconnection: Durban Metzler reported that water line work in Curryville is scheduled to start on November 14. Lines will be placed in the berm approximately 5 feet deep.

2023 Budget & Employee Raises:

• Budget: The 2023-4 Budget was approved for a 10-day public inspection period. There is no tax increase in this budget.
• Raises: The council approved 2023 employee raises with a vote of 6-1 (Councilwoman Blattenberger opposed).
  • Laborer: 8% ($18. 51 to $20. 00/hr)
  • Working Foreman: 7% ($20. 33 to $21. 75/hr)
  • Manager: 3% ($25. 45 to $26. 21/hr)
  • Wastewater Opr. : 3% ($24. 29 to $25. 02/hr)
  • Boro Sec/Trea: 3% ($23. 62 to $24. 33/hr)
  • Clerk: 3% ($13. 76 to $14. 17/hr)
  • Part-time Laborer: 2% ($18. 12 to $18. 48/hr)
  • Note: Police wage increases were previously approved for August 1, 2022.

2023 Tax Ordinances: The council approved advertising the following ordinances with no tax increases:

• Real Estate Tax (Ord. 2022-640): 1. 967 mills.
• Per Capita Tax (Ord. 2022-641): $5. 00.
• Earned Income Tax (Ord. 2022-642): ½ of 1%.
• Local Services Tax (Ord. 2022-643): $52.

Council Meeting Dates (2023):

• Jan 3, Feb 6, Mar 6, Apr 3, May 1, Jun 5, Jul 3, Aug 7, Sep 5, Oct 2, Nov 6, Dec 4.

Cove Christmas Love Program: $500 was allocated to the 2022 Cove Christmas Love Program.

Christmas Parade: Permission was granted to temporarily close Spring Street, S. Market Street, E. Allegheny Street, and S. Walnut Street for the Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at 11:00 a. m.

Cyber Protection: The council authorized increasing cyber protection coverage from $50,000 to $100,000 per year for an additional premium of $114. 00.

Legal Counsel: Due to changes within Gieg Law Offices, the council voted 6-1 (Councilwoman Blattenberger opposed) to advertise for proposals for new legal counsel in the Morrisons Cove Herald, Altoona Mirror, and on the Borough Facebook page.

1974 Ford Tractor Sale: The borough accepted the highest bid of $5,600 from Gary Baker for the 1974 Ford Tractor. Other bids included T. L. Long ($5,555) and Catherine Twp. ($5,500).

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p. m. on a motion by Ed Bennett, seconded by Darin Meck.