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MARTINSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES

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Meeting Overview

The Martinsburg Borough Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at 7:00 p. m. in the municipal building. The meeting began with a prayer by Richard Brantner, Jr. , and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Officials Present:

  • Council: 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, and Councilman Darin B. Meck.
  • Staff/Attorneys: Manager Richard Brantner, Jr. , Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily, Chief Kerry Hoover, and Attorney Matt Gieg.

Financial Reports & Approvals

  • Minutes: The minutes from the August 1, 2022 meeting were approved unanimously.
  • Financial Reports: The Financial and Treasurer’s Reports for August 2022 were presented by Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily.
  • Bills: The List of Bills for August 2022 (check nos. 10788-10806) totaling $114,800. 82 was approved unanimously on a motion by Janet Blattenberger.
  • Audit: The 2021 Financial Audit prepared by Ritchey, Ritchey and Koontz was accepted unanimously.
  • Insurance Dividend: The borough received a check from The Teeter Group for $3,361. 49.

Borough Manager & Police Reports

  • Police Report: Chief Hoover reported that the police department passed its triennial audit with no issues. A cat problem on Locust Street was resolved thanks to Charles Kensinger, who connected the borough with a no-kill sanctuary. Regarding property cleanup letters, it was noted that residents took advantage of the spring cleanup and no violations were issued.
  • Manager’s Updates:
    • Aug 2: Replaced a fire hydrant on Railroad Street; approximately 35 residents were placed on a boil water notice.
    • Aug 11 & 12/13: Received and delivered Community Maps to residents.
    • Aug 15: Discussed roadway washboarding near a signal light with Pete at PennDOT.
    • Aug 18: South First Alley Committee met to review safety options.
    • Aug 26: Met with Megan Zimmerman regarding the 114 W. Penn Street property.
    • Sep 6: Everett Marble and Granite Works installed the W. Gene Henry Memorial.

South First Alley Safety Committee

The committee proposed three options to control traffic:

  1. "Slow Children at Play" signs.
  2. Making the alley one-way east to Centennial Ave.
  3. Stop signs at the intersection of Centennial Avenue and South First Alley.

Decisions:

  • A motion to make the alley one-way and add specific signage did not pass (1 yea, 6 nays).
  • A subsequent motion to install two stop signs (one eastbound, one westbound at Centennial Ave), three "Children at Play" signs, and one stop sign (eastbound at Park Street) passed (6 yays, 1 nay).
  • Council voted unanimously to advertise Ordinance No. 2022-639 to amend the stop sign ordinance accordingly.

Property & Legal Matters

  • 114 W. Penn Street: The DEP requires an environmental plan for this property, now owned by Jonathan and Megan Zimmerman.
    • Decision: Council authorized Gieg Law Offices to draft an agreement where the Borough and the Zimmermans split the cost of geologist Gary Calvert’s services 50/50. The Borough will invoice the Zimmermans for their share.
  • W. Gene Henry Memorial: The memorial was installed on Sept 6. Council approved scheduling an unveiling once all landscaping and concrete work is complete.
  • Tractor Sale: The borough is waiting for a bill of sale ($18,500) from the W. Gene Henry Estate for an old tractor. Council approved advertising the sale of this tractor once received, with a minimum bid of $3,000.
  • Security Cameras: Manager Brantner recommended purchasing four additional security cameras for the 2023 budget (three for the borough garage, one for the municipal building). Prices are being obtained.

Ordinances Adopted

  • Ordinance No. 2022-637: Regulates the placement of waste dumpsters on public streets, establishing a permit system and penalties for violations. (Passed unanimously).
  • Ordinance No. 2022-638: Provides a progressive warning schedule for violators of tall weeds and grass regulations under Nuisance Ordinance No. 2006-563. (Passed unanimously).

Other Business

  • Pension Plans: Council adopted the 2023 MMO for the Non-Uniformed Pension Plan ($33,579. 00) and the Uniformed Pension Plan ($21,092. 00).
  • Draft Budget: Draft No. 1 of the 2023 Budget was prepared; a budget workshop is scheduled for October.
  • Trick-or-Treat Night: Council approved Thursday, October 27, from 6-8 p. m. as Trick-or-Treat Night.
  • Invitations: Council received invitations for the Homewood Retirement Centers 90th Anniversary Celebration (Oct 12) and the Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company meeting minutes were received.

The meeting adjourned at 8:34 p. m.

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