Trailer Park Proposes Expansion into Spring Drive Meadow

Martinsburg Borough Council held their monthly meeting Monday, June 7 at 7 p.m.

Jeff Gunnett, engineer and surveyor, presented on behalf of Ed Bellock. Gunnett proposed that the Spring Drive Mobile Home Trailer Park expand into the meadow by Spring Drive. In the 1970s, plans to have the trailer park expand into this meadow were designed and approved by the state. Gunnett showed the original plan.

The property is split between Martinsburg Borough and North Woodbury Township. Gunnett has already met with North Woodbury and has approval. Gunnet said he needs to present to the authority in order to get water and sewer systems for the homes added.

This expansion would include 10-12 units in the borough and 36-38 units total. Gunnett also said they would like to install a sidewalk where utilities could run.

The timeline for this project is unknown.

Martinsburg Police Chief Kerry Hoover warned Gunnett that there is heavy traffic on Henry Pond Lane because people use it as a shortcut.

In the police report, Hoover said that the police department received a shed for their pistol range. They did not have to pay for the shed; they only had to pay to get it delivered to Martinsburg.

The police department has noticed kids riding bikes after dark without lights and not staying to the right side of the road. Bikes should have a headlight and red tail lights. Hoover said the department may have to start giving out warnings and citations to repeat offenders in order to avoid kids getting hit by cars.

“We’re not trying to make people mad by giving their kids tickets,” Hoover said, “But they need to know it could be a lot worse.”

Hoover encourages parents to educated their children on the laws of bike riding after dark.

Hoover also reported that the park hasn’t heard anything about the permit for the Ag Parade – set to take place on June 29. The permit is in Harrisburg.

Before COVID-19, the permit for this parade could be approved in Hollidaysburg. Now Gov. Tom Wolf has to approve it.

“Hopefully the governor wants us to have a nice parade this year,” said Hoover.

The police department is expecting a large crowd for the pararde this year.

In the manager’s report, Rich Brantner Jr. reported that the sewer work on Christiana Street has been interrupted by a few issues. Workers kept hitting rocks as they tried to cut to the sewer line. When they finally got through the rock, the sides of the hole collapsed.

Brantner said that site work has started at the fire hall.

Brantner received a phone call from the school district. At the beginning of the school year, the district might start using Dilling Street in the morning and afternoon for bus traffic. Parents will be dropping off using Spring Street.

Charles Kensinger and Mayor Rich Brantner Sr. reported on the W. Gene Henry Memorial Committee. The committee is a group of five who meet at Fairview Cemetery. The committee wants to put a plaque up in honor of Gene Henry. They are looking at prices and locations.

Mayor Brantner made a proclamation stating that June 29 – the day of the Ag Parade – should be Gene Henry Day. This was approved.

In Linda Smith’s revitalization committee report, she said that Gene Henry wanted the borough building’s parking lot to be open to allow for a better view. Two parked cars currently block this view. Rich Brantner Jr. said he will look into figuring out where the property line is to see if the borough can give the tenants in this house a driveway using money from a Gene Henry memorial fund. He will also contact the landlord. If a driveway is put in, the council can make a motion to create an ordinance not allowing parking along this street.

The council accepted a bid from New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co., Inc., for $36,677 for the borough’s 2021 paving project. The bid will be looked over by the solicitor.

The council made a motion to hire a cleaning lady to clean the borough building. Leonna Weaver of Martinsburg will clean every other week for $75. This money will be taken out of the general fund.

The property at 118 E. Julian St. has an interested buyer. The individual would like to make the property apartments.

Liens on the property will be addressed at a special authority meeting this Friday, June 11.

The council closed the doors for an executive session about a legal matter.