MARTINSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES

FEBRUARY 4, 2008

            The regular meeting of the Martinsburg Borough Council was held on Monday, February 4, 2008, in the municipal building.  The meeting started at 7:00 p.m. with prayer by Randy Stoltz and the Pledge of Allegiance. 

            ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT:  Mayor Donald C. Greenleaf, President Nathan P. Ormsby, Vice-President Doreen K. Easly, Pro-Tem Christopher E. Brooks, Councilman Rex L. Hartman,  Councilwoman Connie S. Lamborn, and Councilwoman Suzanne B. McNally

            ALSO PRESENT were Manager Randy Stoltz, Borough Secretary Jane Staily, Attorney Cathy Miller, Chief Kerry Hoover, Sgt. Justin Davis; (patrolman) Brian Miller and Sharon Snyder of the Morrisons Cove Herald

            The committee met with Huston Township on January 29th to discuss the Huston Township police agreement that has expired.  The proposed new agreement includes the hourly rate increased to from $30 per hour to $32 per hour; fuel cost increase from $.45 per mile to $.50 per mile.  The new agreement will run retro January 1, 2008 for two years.  Huston Towhship’s meeting is also this evening beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Huston Township does have a limit of how much they will spend each year for police protections.  Council on a motion by Chris Brooks, seconded by Doreen Easly, approve to accept the new Huston Township Police agreement  as discussed.  The motion passed unanimously.  Following execution of the agreement, Sergeant Davis hand delivered the agreement to Huston Township to discuss at their meeting.

[Sergeant Davis left at 7:05 p.m. to deliver the agreement]

           The MINUTES of the regular meeting of January 7, 2008, were approved on a motion by Suzanne McNally, seconded by Chris Brooks.  The motion passed unanimously. 

            The FINANCIAL AND TREASURER’S REPORTS were presented for December 21-31, 2007 as written. 

            The LIST OF BILLS for December 21-31, 2007, check nos. 4037-4068 in the amount of $147,057.31 was approved on a motion by Doreen Easly, seconded by Chris Brooks.  The motion passed unanimously.

            The FINANCIAL AND TREASURER’S REPORTS were presented for January 1-20, 2008 as written. 

            The LIST OF BILLS for January 1-20, 2008, check nos. 4070-4100 in the amount of $11,310.36 was approved on a motion by Doreen Easly, seconded by Suzanne McNally.  The motion passed unanimously.

            Mayor Greenleaf reported that he attended the January skate board meeting.  He sat in on the interview with prospective patrolman Brian Miller.  He met with Chief Hoover several times throughout the month.

            Chief Hoover presented the police report as written.  January has been an unusually busy month.  Patrolman James Layton is resigning to a fulltime position in another profession near New York.  An applicant for patrolman was received from Brain E. Miller.  He was in attendance this evening.  He just finished the police academy.  He resides in Altoona and is currently employed with the Altoona Hospital police and is looking for some street time.  All of his references highly recommend him and he has also already run dual with the North Woodbury Township police.  Council on a motion by Chris Brooks, seconded by Rex Hartman, hired Brian E. Miller as a part-time patrolman.  The motion passed unanimously.

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            Chief Hoover reported that a warrant team was created in Blair County.  The U. S. Marshal service wants to join in the effort.  They will be swearing the officers in as “special deputies”.  Wages will be reimbursed through “Our Town”.  Being involved in the warrant team will open a lot of doors for the borough if we are ever involved in searching for someone of serious charges.  The county is asking that we sign a memorandum of understanding.  Attorney Cathy Miller has already been in contact with the borough’s insurance agent Hershberger and Myers and being involved in the warrant team will not effect our liability.  The borough cruisers will be used when the officers are working on the warrant team – no reimbursement for mileage is being offered.  Chief Hoover explained that all of the work will be done in County so there shouldn’t be a lot of miles involved.  Those on the warrant team from our department will be:  Chief Hoover, Sergeant Davis and Patrolman Gunnett.  Council on a motion by Chris Brooks, seconded by Doreen Easly, authorized Chief Hoover to sign the memorandum of Understanding for the U. S. Marshall Warrant Team.  The motion passed unanimously.  A swearing in ceremony is being organized by the U. S. Marshall to be held in Altoona.

            Manager Stoltz reported that he attended a water training seminar on chlorine safety on January 8; 40 trees were collected during the Christmas tree pickup on January 8; David Dyott of Pennsylvania Nation Insurance Company conducted a safety training session with Manager Stoltz, Rich Brantner, Gary Hooder and Brian Miller; the sewer line on S. Market St. was repaired on January 16; a water leak was repaired on E. Julian St. on January 19.  Manager Stoltz, Suzanne McNally, Rex Hartman and Chris Brooks attended the cable franchise meeting in Roaring Spring on January 22.  Also attending the meeting were representatives from Roaring Spring Borough and from Atlantic Broadband.  The revised agreement was e-mailed to Manager Stoltz.  Manager Stoltz found items in the new agreement that he is concerned about.  The agreement ran out at the end of December 2007.  Atlantic Broadband is currently honoring our old agreement.  Manager Stoltz is waiting on a reply from Roaring Spring, their Manager Lisa Gates is currently out of the office with pneumonia.  Manager Stoltz has completed the address verification and street names report for the Census Bureau; a truck from New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co. knocked down a Valley Rural Electric pole causing the three-phase surge protector at the wastewater treatment plant to burn up – our insurance should cover the damage; attended the Blair County Mitigation Plan review meeting – there were no substantial changes made since our adoption of the plan last month; and repaired a water leak on Ann Street on February 4.

            It was reported that there will be a pot pie dinner at the Morrisons Cove Memorial Park by “Momma Burns” on February 16 from 4-7:00 p.m. benefiting the Huntsman Bowling Center for new bowling shoes.

            Suzanne McNally reported that the street lights on S. Market St. were out for a period of time one evening causing it to be very dark.  The borough was not notified of any outages.  Manager Stoltz will contact Penelec and ask them to notify us upon future outages, especially at night for safety reasons.

            Correspondence was received from the Adult Parole and Probation Office of Blair County request the use of a radio frequency near our frequency.  Apparently there is only one frequency left in their area per Thomas Shea and they are currently using the Sherriff’s frequency.  Council had concerns that once they begin using the frequency and there are problems, they may not be easily resolved.  Com Pros works on our radio system and feels there could be problems with them on

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the new frequency.  Multi-Comm did not feel this would be a problem.  Attorney Miller cautioned council about signing the agreement because if problems would arise with them on our frequency, it could result in legal matters to get it resolved.    Manager Stoltz will contact Com Pros to verify that there is only one frequency left and he will also contact Dianne Meiling to further discuss the matter.  Due to lack of information, the matter was tabled until more information was received.

            Chris Brooks expressed his appreciation for how well out men work together during emergencies as he was able to watch them repair the water leak on his street today.

            Doreen Easly reported that 175th Anniversary Committee would like to recommend to council that the account balance be appropriated as follows: 

            Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company            $1,583.50

            Martinsburg Borough (for sign)                           250.00

            Morrisons Cove Memorial Park                          250.00

            Revitalization Committee                                     250.00

                                    TOTAL:                                   $2,333.50

            Council on a motion by Doreen Easly, seconded by Suzanne McNally, authorized that the remaining balance in the Cross Roads for the Cove Fund for the 175th Anniversary celebration be appropriated as above.  The motion passed unanimously.

            Nathan Ormsby attended that meeting of the Martinsburg Municipal Authority on January 17.  He was astonished how long the time frame was from beginning to end for the nitrate removal system.  The four year process of bidding, financing, permitting, building, implemention is obviously not one that can be done overnight.  He informed council that our authority was representing the borough well.

            Suzanne McNally reported that Richard  Bice of the Revitalization Committee suggested that the money the 175th committee was suggesting be appropriated to them be used towards the mural.  Manager Stoltz reported that the Revitalization Committee has agreed to hire grant writer Theodore Robinson.  A grant of $98,000 was awarded to the town center project and will be coming soon.  Marty Malone is in the process of doing some sketches and preliminary drawings for the committee.  Their next meeting will be held on Friday, February 15, at 10:00 a.m. at Manor House.

            Borough Secretary Jane Staily reported that the compliance pension audit reports for the period of January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2006 for both the Uniformed and Non-Uniformed plans were received from the Auditor General’s office.  The only finding listed was in the Non-Uniformed for improper disposition of demutualization compensation.  They recommend that PMRS be contacted to facilitate the allocation of the stock received as a result of the demutualization of Principal Life Insurance Company to the non-uniformed pension plan.  In addition, PMRS should determine the effect on the plan’s state aid allocations and the MMO determinations during the audit period and submit this information to the Department of the Auditor General.  PMRS will be contacted and asked how to properly allocate the stock to the pension plan and include it in the assets of the plan.

            The seven year old copier in the borough office is in need of repair.  Hilltop Office Supply quoted that it will cost around $1,000 to fix one of the internal components.  A quote was received from them on the price of a new one of similar quality.  Council on a motion by Suzanne McNally, seconded by Doreen Easly, approved to purchase the KM-2050 Digital Copier as quoted in the amount of $3,790, (which includes the trade in value of $1,450 from the old copier).  The motion passed unanimously.

 

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            In response to Manager Stoltz’s letter, correspondence was received  from Representative Jerry Stern assuring council that he supports House Bill 2018 known as the Tax-exempt Property Municipal Assistance Act which will provide assistance to municipalities with tax-exempt property amounting to 17% of the assessed value.

            Council on a motion by Chris Brooks, seconded by Suzanne McNally authorized to send a letter to Walmart in recognition and support of the Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company as a requirement for the grant Walmart will be awarding them.  The motion passed unanimously.  The grand opening of the Walmart in East Freedom will be March 7th.

            Chief Hoover was working on a NIMS training session to be held at the school.

            Martinsburg will be having a Community Clean Up Day on Saturday, April 26.  All borough residents can participate.

            Chief Hoover introduced Patrolman Brian Miller to the council.

            The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:24 p.m. on a motion by Chris Brooks, seconded by Rex Hartman.  The motion passed unanimously.

                                                                        Respectfully  submitted,

 

 

                                                M. Jane Staily

                                                Secretary