Martinsburg Borough Council Swears in New Members

Much stayed the same after Martinsburg Borough Council's reorganization meeting on Monday, Jan. 3.

Reorganization

Magisterial District Judge Andrew Blattenberger attended to swear new and old members into office. Edward Bennett and Charles Kensinger were again sworn in on council for 4-year terms. Durban Metzler also returned for a 2-year term. M. Jane Staily was sworn in as the tax collector for a 4-year term.

New member James Dell took his oath for a 4-year term on council.

Other new councilmember Janet Blattenberger was not present to be sworn in for her 4-year term due to a broken leg. Mayor Richard Brantner Sr. was also not present to take his oath as mayor for the next 4 years due to COVID-19.

Judge Blattenberger informed the council that Janet and Brantner would take their oaths before the next meeting.

Robert Dickson was once again voted president, and Durban Metzler was again voted vice president. Bennett, the previous pro-tem nominated Kensinger for the role, which was approved.

Bennett also stepped down as the streets commissioner to allow Dell to take over. Darin Meck took over the property commissioner role.

All staff appointments were retained or voted for use on an "as-needed" basis.

Committees also remained largely unchanged, with Janet Blattenberger being voted onto the revitalization committee and Bennett and Dell on the recycling committee. Kensinger also added Joe Logan from the Morrisons Cove Memorial Park Board to the W. Gene Henry Memorial Committee.

Other business

Borough Manager Richard Brantner Jr. informed the council that some of the American Rescue Plan funds will be used to help disinfect the borough building and three police cruisers. The company mists everything with a disinfectant that lasts two weeks. Brantner said they will come in every two weeks for about three months with the cost of $225 a cleaning.

"We need something to keep up with this omicron variant," said Brantner.

Brantner also noted a water main break on the 100 block of E. Christiana Street on Dec. 20. The sewer line was recently replaced on this street, and Brantner said that work possibly caused the line to hit a rock and split. This line will be replaced in the spring before repaving from the sewer work.

The council will be waiting until next month to finalize a date for the Spring Clean Up, but it will likely be toward the end of April.

Kensinger provided an update to the Gene Henry Memorial. He had a prototype of what the memorial would look like when finished.

The committee has raised $8,322 of its $10,000 goal. The plaque should be coming in soon, as it was expect about 50 business days after it was ordered (Oct. 19). The granite was ordered on Nov. 22 and is expected 6 months after ordering.

"I want to note that this was all raised without going door to door and asking for money," said Kensinger.

Kensinger noted that the publicity for the memorial and word of mouth has prompted people to donate.

The committee is hoping to provide a recommendation and alternative sites for the location of the memorial.