# MARTINSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES

- Summary: 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…
- Source: official borough
- Published: 2022-11-07
- Captured: 2026-08-10T16:49:35.826Z
- Source URL: http://martinsburgpa.org/NOV.%202022-BOROUGH%20COUNCIL%20.pdf
- Content URL: https://hollidaysburg.ebensburg.site/document/nov-7/
- Content note: This portable copy is not the official record and may include an automated convenience summary. Verify important details in the original document.

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.