M-burg Accepts Councilman Resignation

Martinsburg Borough Council is expected to fill a vacancy in September.

The council accepted the resignation of David L. Harker during the August meeting. Harker will be moving out of the borough.

Richard Brantner Jr., borough manager, said the council hopes to appoint a new councilmember at the next meeting, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. At that time the councilmember will be sworn in. Harker’s term expires in January 2022.

Any person interested in serving on the council and who has lived in the borough for a minimum of one year and is a registered voter is asked to submit a letter of interest to the council by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1. Letters can be mailed or delivered to 110 S. Walnut St., Martinsburg PA 16662.

Social Media Policy

The council adopted a social media policy for all elected officials and employees in Martinsburg borough. Brantner Jr. said he and Chief of Police Kerry L. Hoover devised the policy.

“There are no problems at all with employees and officials with social media,” Brantner said. “We just want to get ahead and make sure there are no problems at all.”

The policy reads that the Borough of Martinsburg embraces and supports the use of social media for the benefit and advancement to the borough.

The purpose of the policy is to establish guidelines with respect to the use of all forms of social media by the Borough of Martinsburg.

“While employees and elected officials of the Borough of Martinsburg have the right to access and/or contribute to personal and social networking pages and/or websites, as employees and elected officials of the Borough of Martinsburg, they will be held to general conduct and ethical standards,” the policy reads.

The policy reads that inappropriate use of the internet and the instant technology regarding the Borough of Martinsburg business and operations will result in disciplinary actions, escalating up to and including termination as an employee of the borough.

Every employee shall be provided a copy of this policy and shall sign a receipt and acknowledgement page indicating that the employee has received and read the policy.

Cleanup Day

The borough’s fall cleanup day will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at the borough garage along South Nicodemus Street. The cleanup day, held every other year, is for Martinsburg borough residents only.

Brantner Jr. said fliers will be mailed to borough residents during the last week in August. Residents will be required to bring the fliers with them om the day of the cleanup. Brantner said residents will be charged a fee for tires only. All other items will be accepted free of charge.

Brantner said he is looking for volunteers to help with the event. Individuals or groups interested in assisting are asked to call Brantner Jr. at the borough office, 793-3213.

Library Board

In accordance with Section 411 of the State Library Code of Pennsylvania, the Martinsburg Community Library needs to have at least one boardmember appointed by Martinsburg borough.

The Martinsburg Community Library Board of Trustees requested that the council appoint Jody Thomas of Martinsburg to the library board, with a first term expiring June 30, 2023.

Brooke Long-Yarrison was the library’s second Martinsburg borough representative, continuing to fill a term which expires June 30, 2022.

Council approved both representatives.

Brantner said Trick or Treat Night has not been finalized. Chief Hoover said the event is tentatively set for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. Chief Hoover want to see what other municipalities are planning to do with Trick or Treat Night.