MARTINSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES
JUNE 4, 2007
The regular meeting of the Martinsburg Borough Council was held on Monday, June 4, 2007, 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: President Robert A. Carper, Pro-tem Nathan P. Ormsby, Councilman Christopher E. Brooks, Councilwoman Doreen K. Easly, Councilwoman Linda K. Smith and Councilwoman Suzanne B. McNally
ALSO PRESENT were Manager Randy Stoltz, Borough Secretary Jane Staily, Attorney Frederick Gieg, Chief Kerry Hoover, Sergeant Justin Davis, Dennis Foltz, Daniel Border and Dan Horton of the Morrison’s Cove Herald.
Dennis Foltz introduced himself as a resident of E. Allegheny St. in Martinsburg originally from Oklahoma.
The MINUTES of the regular meeting of May 7, 2007 were approved with a correction on page 3 of a typographical error and the inclusion of the Mayor’s attendance at the Booster’s meeting in recognition of the police department on a motion by Nathan Ormsby, seconded by Doreen Easly. The motion passed unanimously.
The FINANCIAL AND TREASURER’S REPORTS were presented for May, 2007 as written.
The LIST OF BILLS for May 2007, check nos. 3695-3725 in the amount of $43,442.13(including a $35,000 PLGIT Investment) was approved on a motion by Doreen Easly, seconded by Chris Brooks. The motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Donald Greenleaf was unable to attend the meeting this evening because he was at the Spring Cove baccalaureate ceremony. Chief Hoover presented the Mayor’s report as follows: the mayor volunteered community service at the Lucille Stewart property on N. Bassler St. by removing yard debris; cleaned up some debris around the old Jim Hershberger building; removed weeds from the lot between Locust and Penn Streets; working with Steve Kensinger removing weeds from around the RV shop; responsible for renovating and placement of the benches around the town center parking lot – has two additional benches available that are not assembled yet; attended the Martinsburg Memorial Day services; had several meetings with Chief Hoover; did not attend the Blair County planning meeting due to other activities; and attended the Neighborhood Watch meeting. Jane Staily reported a message from Mayor Greenleaf that he was in the process of receiving the 175th Anniversary citation from Senator Greenleaf.
Chief Hoover presented the police report as written. He attended the Neighborhood Watch meeting – Deputy Sheriff Mark Miller’s demonstration of his canine was very interesting; the grant was received for the police department copier and it was ordered – the copier budget item in the Equipment Fund will no longer be needed; it is unknown when the new cruiser will be received – the Ford Motor Company has shut down their quality control plant due to a problem so Stuckey Ford is in the process of locating one in the color that we want from another Ford dealership; the next neighborhood watch meeting will be Tuesday, June 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the Jaycee Room – guest speaker will be a representative from the Blair County coroner’s office; and the new police uniform pants were received. Chief Hoover has received numerous comments on how well groomed the borough is kept.
President Carper wanted to thank the VFW for putting on such a nice Memorial Day program.
Correspondence was received from a paramedic commending Patrolman Andy Scherzinger for his assistance in attempting to administer CPR on a fatality in North Woodbury Township. Chief Hoover wanted to thank Randy and Brian for painting the lines for speed enforcement. Doreen Easly reported on dog barking incidents near the Shoe Factory that she is receiving.
Manager Stoltz reported that Lawrence Burkholder started putting on the metal roof at the municipal building on May 9th and finished on June 1st – a check was being prepared to pay the balance due for the new roof; Com Pros relocated the radio antennas on the municipal building on May 10th placing them in a more convenient location; met with Lee Murphy of EPA on May 17th to set up an asset management plan for the water and sewer system; Manager Stoltz and Executive Director Julie Dick of the Cove Area Regional Digester project gave a presentation on the project to the presenters of the science fair at the Everett Elementary School on May 25th; and painted lines throughout the town on May 31st – also helped North Woodbury Township with their speed lines.
Councilwoman Linda Smith was contacted by an individual inquiring if anything could be done about the horse droppings that are continually left on the street at town center when the horse and buggies go through. Chief Hoover will plan to meet with the Bishop of the Mennonite community to discuss the problem. Catch nets are already being used on some of the buggies.
Attorney Gieg reported that the Interim Assessment Resolution was advertised simply as a courtesy to the residents, not a requirement. It is on the agenda for consideration for adoption this evening.
Chris Brooks suggested that council may wish to consider putting up town flags/banners (e.g. Welcome to Martinsburg) erected throughout the town on the phone poles. The dilemma is that the poles are not owned by the town and are located on State right-of-way. The Boosters are already checking into this.
Nathan Ormsby reported that he attended a meeting of the Martinsburg Municipal Authority last month. The representative from EPA that attended the meeting was impressed with the authority’s water and sewer system. The authority is currently facing a water nitrate problem and it seems that the proposed new well source may not be an option. The authority will be setting up a tour to look at nitrate removal systems.
Manager Stoltz reported that one more educational kit was ordered and must be paid for before the Well Head Protection Grant can be finalized.
Bob Carper thanked Suzanne McNally, Doreen Easly and Phil Waite for presenting such a nice Veterans program at the Grace Brethren Church.
Doreen Easly reported that the next 175th Anniversary Celebration Event was the Wedding Belles and Brunch to be held at the Morrison’s Cove Memorial Park on June 23rd. Entertainment for the brunch is a fashion show with wedding fashions and customs from 1770 to 1900. Suzanne McNally will be ordering a 175th Anniversary Celebration banner to be put up across the street on W. Allegheny Street. The committee will also be helping the firemen at their ox roast. A car show and a community swim night are also being planned for the event. A float is being planned for the agricultural parade. The fire company and St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church are also turning 175 years old this year. The church’s clown ministry will be incorporating a circus-like event directed at children.
Linda Smith attended the Revitalization Committee meeting along with Suzanne McNally. Beautification of the town was the main topic of the evening. The committee received twenty-two flower donations and Brubaker’s donated not only flowers but the pots also for town center. Home owners are also being encouraged to participate. The committee felt that it would be a good idea to blacktop the parking lot now. Anything more that they do will go on top of the blacktop. Carolyn Gartland is planning to have murals painted on one of the buildings. A cement table and rounded benches are still being discussed. The next meeting is June 11 at 3:00 p.m. at Manor House. Chris Brooks requested that Manager Stoltz be contacted prior to all placement of beautification to make sure it is applicable and so he knows what is going on before it happens. The committee has already done a lot and the revitalization is a long term goal. Merchants have agreed to water the plants that have been placed in various areas.
Suzanne McNally announced that the last Yard of the Month winner was Elaine Buchart. It will be publicized in the newspaper.
There is still a vacancy on the ambulance board. They meet once a month at 7:00 p.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, June 6th. Manager Stoltz commended the ambulance service for reviving a young girl within 1 ½ minutes from the original 911 call and transported her to the hospital within seven minutes. Chief Hoover requested that Hollidaysburg Ambulance have a bicycle patrol out again during the agricultural parade since it worked well last year. Council expressed their appreciation to the Hollidaysburg Ambulance for sending a representative to the council meetings each month.
Council on a motion by Nathan Ormsby, seconded by Suzanne McNally, voted to adopt Resolution No. 2007-0604-01 requesting the Blair County Board of Assessment to perform interim assessments of any property, improvements or subjects of taxation which may have been omitted or any new property, improvements or subjects of taxation during any specific year after the annual assessments are fixed. The motion passed unanimously.
The town center parking lot paving project was rebid. Only one bid was received this time as follows: New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc. $24,177.50 including line striping. As a stipulation in the agreement with Richard Over the borough has to pave the lot within a three year period anyway. Council on a motion by Doreen Easly, seconded by Chris Brooks accepted the bid in the amount of $23,627.50 ($24,177.50 less the $550 for line striping since we can do this ourselves) from New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co., Inc. The motion passed with 5 yays; no nays; Robert Carper abstained. Nathan Ormsby was concerned and didn’t want contractors to think the borough was setting a precedence of rejecting bids for no reason – it is simply a borough privilege/right to accept or reject all bids when appropriate.
Chris Brooks made mention that since the town had an active revitalization committee and was making efforts to spruce up the community, the borough might want to consider removing or replacing the large tree in front of the municipal building. The tree is shapeless and has never been pruned. It was suggested that the tree could possibly be topped off. It was discussed that the borough lawn sign was deteriorating and was in need of being replaced. The Rotary was looking into replacing the sign but since it would be costly they are no longer pursuing it. The cost of a new sign will be researched. The cost of a new sign will be researched.
A few months ago council discussed launching a pilot program for the full-time officers to be reimbursed for the use of their personal cell phones during police duty. The idea was to reimburse them $25 per month each. A one time payment to Chief Hoover and Sgt. Davis was paid to each of them. After some discussion, it was decided on a motion by Chris Brooks, seconded by Doreen Easly to continue implementing the program permanently to reimburse each full-time officer $25 per month towards their cell phone cost. The motion passed unanimously. Chief Hoover thanked council for implementing the program and also wanted to thank the Boosters for their donation of $250 to be used towards this reimbursement program.
A letter was drafted and mailed to Representative Jerry Stern expressing council’s appreciation for his attendance to the 175th Anniversary Dinner Dance and for presenting them with the citation last month.
The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m. on a motion by Nathan Ormsby, seconded by Doreen Easly. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
M. Jane Staily
Secretary