# Martinsburg Borough Council Minutes

- Summary: 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…
- Source: official borough
- Published: 2023-10-02
- Captured: 2026-08-10T16:49:35.826Z
- Source URL: http://martinsburgpa.org/MNB2310.pdf
- Content URL: https://hollidaysburg.ebensburg.site/document/october-2023/
- 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, 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