Martinsburg Borough Council Minutes

Meeting Overview

The regular meeting of the Martinsburg Borough Council was held on Monday, October 2, 2023, at the municipal building. The session began at 7:00 p. m. with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Elected Officials Present:

• 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
• Councilman Darin B. Meck

Other Attendees: Manager Richard Brantner, Jr. , Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily, Chief Kerry Hoover, Attorney Nathan Karn, Sandy Weyandt, and Anna (Baughman) Miller.

Financial Reports & Approvals

• Minutes: The minutes from the September 5, 2023 meeting were approved unanimously.
• Financial Reports: Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily presented the financial and treasurer’s reports for September 2023.
• List of Bills: A motion by Janet Blattenberger (seconded by Durban Metzler) approved the list of bills for September 2023.
  • Check Numbers: 11153-11170
  • Total Amount: $100,912. 04 (This includes a transfer of $80,000 to the Reserve Fund).
  • Result: Passed unanimously.

Departmental Reports

• Mayor’s Report: Mayor Richard Brantner presented his report as written.
• Police Report: Chief Kerry Hoover reported that the department hosted a two-day NIBRS training with multiple Blair County police departments. Three new police policy manuals are now available in the borough office.
• Borough Manager Report (Rich Brantner):
  • Sept 7: Blacktopping completed for utility cuts.
  • Sept 13: T. L. Long Excavating connected new services to the water main on E. Christiana Street.
  • Sept 14: Liz Cooper (from Senator Bob Casey’s office) visited to discuss a potential grant for a new tank at the airport.
  • Sept 14: The Curryville Tank went online.
  • Sept 26: New Enterprise blacktopped the utility cut on E. Christiana Street for new construction.
  • Oct 2: Contractors began installing new gates and a dual auger system at the wastewater treatment plant.
• Municipal Authority: Durban Metzler reported that the municipal authority issued a public release regarding their involvement in PFAS litigation.

Solar Speed Signs

James Dell reported on the Solar Speed Signs Committee's recommendation to purchase two or three signs.

• Costs: Manager Brantner received a quote of $6,814 for two signs and a flyer, or $9,000 for three signs (shipping not included).
• Features: The signs are portable, count traffic, collect data (average speed, vehicles over limit), and allow data download via Bluetooth.
• Funding: Eligible for payment from the Liquid Fuels Fund.
• Decision: Council approved the purchase of three relocatable solar speed signs for $9,000 plus shipping on a motion by James Dell (seconded by Ed Bennett).

Executive Session & Personnel

An executive session was held from 7:21 p. m. to 8:13 p. m. regarding personnel matters.

• Police Hiring: The council voted to discontinue advertising for a third full-time police officer but will continue accepting applications for part-time officers.
• Assistant Chief of Police: Manager Brantner updated the Employee Manual to include the new position of Assistant Chief of Police, a role Justin Davis was promoted to on August 7, 2023. Attorney Nathan Karn recommended adopting a resolution for this position.
  • Resolution: Resolution No. 2023-1002-02 was adopted to include the Assistant Chief of Police position in the Employee Manual.

Infrastructure & Grants

• PennDOT / The Square: Representative Jim Gregory contacted PennDOT regarding potholes on the state highway at "The Square. " PennDOT plans to pave one block in each direction this spring. Manager Brantner will follow up with PennDOT when the season arrives.
• Street Sweeper Grant: The cost for a street sweeper has increased from $261,497 to $275,260.
  • Action: Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-1002-01 requesting a DCED State Local Shares Grant for $275,260 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to purchase the street sweeper.

Tax Refund

• Issue: The Blair County Assessment Office notified the borough that the 2022 tax bill for 203 W. Christiana Street was erroneously overbilled to William J. and Joyce A. Replogle.
• Action: Council authorized a refund of $76. 53 to the Replogles for the property (tax map #15. 00-01. 065. 00-000/control #00023150).

Ordinance Review

• Current Review: The monthly review covered Ordinances 563 and 638 (Defining Nuisances) and 452 (Burning).
• Future Agenda: Councilwoman Blattenberger requested to further address Ordinance 2006-563 Section 2 (Item 12) regarding motor vehicle nuisances. This will be added to next month's agenda.
• Next Month: The upcoming review will cover Ordinance 515 (Animal Noise) and 561 (Pets).

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p. m. on a motion by Ed Bennett (seconded by Darin Meck).

Submitted by: M. Jane Staily, Borough Secretary