Martinsburg

Pennsylvania

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Martinsburg Borough Council Minutes

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Meeting Overview

The Martinsburg Borough Council held its regular meeting on Monday, November 6, 2023, at the municipal building. The session began at 7:00 p. m. with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Officials Present:

  • Council: Mayor Richard A. Brantner, President P. Robert Dickson, Vice-President Durban Metzler, Pro-tem Charles E. Kensinger, Councilman Edward L. Bennett, Councilwoman Janet E. Blattenberger, Councilman James C. Dell, and Councilman Darin B. Meck.
  • Staff/Attendees: Manager Richard Brantner, Jr. , Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily, Chief Kerry Hoover, Attorney Nathan Karn, and Anna Miller (Morrisons Cove Herald).

Financial Reports & Approvals

  • Minutes: The minutes from the October 2, 2023 meeting and the October 16 budget workshop were approved unanimously.
  • Financial Reports: Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily presented the financial and treasurer’s reports for October 2023.
  • Team Viewer Expense: Councilwoman Blattenberger inquired about a software expense shared between the recycling program and municipal authority. It was explained that this connects the garage computer to the borough office for remote management.
  • List of Bills: The council approved checks 11171-11205 totaling $144,443. 90 for October 2023. This amount includes a $58,000 transfer to the Reserve Fund.

Personnel Updates

  • Clerk Position: The council approved hiring Amy Hockenberry as the full-time clerk.
    • Rate: $19. 00/hr for the first three probationary months, increasing to $20. 00/hr thereafter.
  • Resignation: Renee Gunnett submitted her resignation as office clerk; her last day will be November 30.
  • Wage Adjustments for 2024:
    • Part-Time Patrolmen: Approved at $25. 00/hr (motion by James Dell).
    • Part-Time Labor (Justin Davis): Approved a $1. 00/hr increase to $19. 48/hr (motion by Charles Kensinger).

Ordinances & Tax Resolutions

The council discussed and approved several tax ordinances for 2024, noting that no tax increases are included in the budget.

  • Motor Vehicle Nuisances: Councilwoman Blattenberger proposed banning unregistered vehicles on private property. Attorney Nathan Karn advised that vehicle registration is legally irrelevant to nuisance laws; however, vehicles harboring insects or broken glass could be addressed under existing nuisance codes. The council decided to leave the ordinance as is.
  • 2024 Budget: Approved for a 10-day public inspection period, with adoption planned for the December meeting.
  • Tax Resolutions & Ordinances:
    • Real Estate Tax (Resolution No. 2023-1204-01): Set at 1. 967 mills.
    • Per Capita Tax (Ordinance No. 2023-646): Set at $5. 00.
    • Earned Income Tax (Ordinance No. 2023-647): Set at ½ of 1%.
    • Local Services Tax (Ordinance No. 2023-648): Set at $52.

Borough Manager Report (Richard Brantner, Jr. )

  • Oct 3: Removed town banners.
  • Oct 16: Attended budget meeting.
  • Oct 17: Responded to a devastating fire at Bobcat of Martinsburg; condolences were extended to the family and owners.
  • Oct 25: Repaired a sewer tap at 117 S. Ann Street.
  • Oct 26: Patrolled streets during Trick or Treat; installed a new chlorine analyzer at the nitrate removal plant.
  • Nov 3: Began the interview process for the full-time clerk position.

Other Business

  • Trick or Treat: The event was successful; Durban Metzler distributed 200 treats and Chief Hoover distributed approximately 1,000.
  • Police Agreement: The council approved renewing the police agreement with Huston Township for 2024 and 2025.
    • Hourly Rate: Increasing from $42. 50 to $47. 50 for 2024, and $48. 50 for 2025.
    • Fees: Administration fee remains $200; mileage rates follow IRS recommendations.
  • Volunteer Fire Department: Manager Brantner commended the Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Department and their employers for responding to the Bobcat fire. He noted that while required training hours have increased significantly (from 24 to 112 hours), membership has dwindled over the last 35 years.
  • Upcoming Events:
    • South Central Counties Boroughs Association Dinner: Monday, November 20, 2023, at Liberty Hall (US Hotel & Tavern). Council members Rob Dickson and James Dell will attend.
    • 2024 Meeting Dates: Approved for Jan 2, Feb 5, Mar 4, Apr 1, May 6, Jun 3, Jul 1, Aug 5, Sep 3, Oct 7, Nov 4, and Dec 2.
    • Reorganizational Meeting: Scheduled for Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p. m.

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