Martinsburg Borough Council Continues Plans For Electronic Speed Signs

Martinsburg Borough Council has started the process of setting its 2022 municipal budget and has scheduled a budget workshop for Monday, Oct. 18.

Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Oct. 18 at the borough building to work on the budget and “for general purposes.” The workshop is open to the public.

A draft budget distributed at the regular meeting on Oct. 4 showed expenditures currently set $4,562 higher than revenue, and with no real estate tax increase. That budget is not final and the work of council and staff at the Oct. 18 workshop will further refine and adjust the budget before a final version is adopted.

One item up for consideration is the placement of electronic speed signs in the borough. Council has been working with the borough police department on the possible purchase of four electronic speed limit signs. According to discussions at the Oct. 4 meeting, the signs require a no-fee permit from PennDOT, but the borough should have all of the money needed for the signs allocated and available before applying for the permits.

The borough is considering placing two signs each on State Routes 866 and 164.

Police Chief Kerry Hoover’s research on the signs indicated that four solar-powered signs would cost a total of about $12,450.

Borough Council President P. Robert Dickson said that the cost of the signs should be part of council’s 2022 budget decisions.

“We’re going to have to budget for next year if we want these signs,” President Dickson told council.

In relation to road business, borough resident Sandy Weyandt attended the Oct. 4 meeting and asked council if the ripples in the asphalt at the SR 164/SR 866 intersection can be fixed by PennDOT.

Borough Manager Richard A. Brantner, Jr., said that based on his discussions with PennDOT, it is unlikely that repairs will happen soon.

“It’s not even on their radar,” Brantner Jr. said.

He said that it took three years of requests from the borough to get PennDOT to clear a drain at Cross Cove Road and South Market Street. Mayor Richard Brantner Sr. stated in his Mayor’s Report that the drain had been cleared on Sept. 20 after years of requests.

Brantner Jr. told council that the SR 164/866 intersection had last been paved in 2005 or 2006.

“How bad does it have to get before they will act?” President Dickson asked regarding the asphalt ripples.

Borough Manager Brantner Jr. said that he did not have answers for council and that PennDOT works on its own schedule.

Other business

Council accepted the Blair County trick-or-treat event set for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28.

Councilmember Charles Kensinger reported on the W. Gene Henry Memorial Committee actions.

Kensinger told council that an opening publicity event was held for the memorial on Sept. 15 and about 18 people showed up, including local news media.

Kensinger reported that the committee has received about $2,325 toward its goal of $10,000, which means that about 20 percent of the goal has been met. He said that the bronze plaque will cost $3,600 to $4,000. The balance of the total will be spent for the granite memorial itself.

Kensinger thanked those who have supported the project so far, and specifically thanked the supporting organizations, including the Martinsburg Community Library, the Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Co., the Morrisons Cove Memorial Park, Fairview Cemetery and borough council.

He asked that members of the community consider supporting the fund to build a permanent memorial to Henry on the vacant ground at the corner of East Allegheny and South Walnut Streets near the borough building.

Donations to the W. Gene Henry Memorial Fund can be sent to the borough office, 110 South Walnut Street, Martinsburg, Pa., 16662. A thermometer to show the fund’s progress will be placed and updated, Kensinger said.

Council approved an ordinance to re-authorize the existence and responsibilities of the Martinsburg Municipal Authority, which oversees water and sewer projects in the area.

Council unanimously approved extending the authority for an additional 50 years.

Borough Manager Richard Brantner Sr., also an assistant fire chief, updated council on the Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Co.’s fire hall addition.

Brantner Jr. said that although work has been proceeding according to plan, some of the construction work has come to a halt because materials are not available.

“We hope to be in by Thanksgiving, but we’re not sure,” Brantner Jr. told council.

Brantner Jr. said that the addition will add about 5,000 square feet to the building and, like the existing fire hall, will be clad in red brick.

He said that the fire company will announce a public open house once the project is complete. That will probably be in January 2022, he said.