# MARTINSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES

- Summary: 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…
- Source: official borough
- Published: 2022-09-06
- Captured: 2026-08-10T16:49:35.826Z
- Source URL: http://martinsburgpa.org/SEPTEMBER%202022-BOROUGH%20COUNCIL%20MINUTES.pdf
- Content URL: https://hollidaysburg.ebensburg.site/document/sept-6/
- 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 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: "Slow Children at Play" signs. Making the alley one-way east to Centennial Ave. 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.