Douglas Smith Resigns from M-burg Council

Martinsburg Borough Council is accepting letters of interest for a vacancy that has occurred due to an immediate resignation.

The council on July 8 accepted the resignation of Douglas D. Smith, who was the council’s pro-tem.

To fill the pro-tem position – one who will preside over a meeting if the president and vice president are absent – the council approved P. Robert Dickson to replace Smith for the remainder of the year.

The council has 30 days from Smith’s resignation to fill the vacancy.

Any person interested in serving on the council and who has lived in the borough for a minimum of one year and is a registered voter is asked to submit a letter of interest to the council by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 31. Letters can be mailed or delivered to 110 S. Walnut St., Martinsburg, PA 16662.

The council plans to vote on a new councilmember during its Aug. 5 meeting.

“J4” Celebration

Police Sgt. Justin Davis reported that Morrisons Cove Memorial Park’s “J4” celebration went “very smoothly.”

On behalf of the Martinsburg Police Department, Sgt. Davis thanked all agencies who helped the department on parade night, July 2. The sergeant said fire police, police officers and constables from Blair and neighboring counties assisted that night.

With the borough’s newly passed fireworks ordinance in effect for the Fourth of July holiday, Sgt. Davis said the police department said there were a few ordinance violations. Borough residents were permitted to set off consumer fireworks between the hours of 4 and 10 p.m. on July 3, July 4 and July 5.

Consumer fireworks will be permitted again in the borough with the Labor Day holiday – Sept. 1, Sept. 2 and Sept. 3.

Signage

Martinsburg resident Sandy Weyandt was in attendance to discuss the confusion of street directions in the borough.

“We need to differentiate North, South, East and West here in Martinsburg,” Weyandt said.

Weyandt, who lives along South Market Street, had someone measuring for carpet at her residence rather than at the same street number along North Market Street.

Connie S. Lamborn, the council’s president, said street signage could start at the square in town.

“People know we have only one stoplight,” Lamborn said.

Lamborn said the matter will be passed on to the Streets Committee, led by Edward L. Bennett.

The council’s Aug. 5 meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the borough office.