Martinsburg Borough Council Discusses New Fraud Complaints

Martinsburg Borough Council held their monthly meeting on Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.

Following up discussions from the July meeting, Police Chief Kerry Hoover looked into speed signs, as originally requested by Mayor Rich Brantner Sr. Police would need approval from PennDOT before placing any signs. Hoover said the signs he looked at are around $4,000 a piece. He described them as “permanently temporary,” as they attach to brackets on speed limit posts but can only be removed with specific keys. The location for these solar-powered signs has yet to be determined, as there are ordinances against flashing signs in front of houses.

Also discussed in July was the reappointment of Todd Bookhamer on the Police Civil Service Commission. Bookhamer agreed to a 6-year term following his 2-year term. This reappointment was passed by the council.

The council formed a committee to look into how the borough should spend the $96,085 from the American Rescue Plan. Presdient Robert Dickson, Councilman Neil Gartland, Councilman Darin Meck, Police Chief Kerry Hoover, Borough Manager Rich Brantner Jr., and James Dell was the final committee chosen. Rich Brantner Jr. will be the chairman.

Hoover brought a fraud issue to the council. There have been at least a dozen complaints that people have received information stated they have filed for unemployment. These citizens, who have not filed for unemployment, have also seen their employers receive information saying they have filed for unemployment. Hoover said this is an issue not just in this area, but around the county. Police will be posting about the issue on their Facebook page. They will tell people what they need to do if they receive a fraudulent claim.

“One claim was a retired man in his 70s,” said Hoover. “He hasn’t worked in years. The company listed on the claim was fictitious.”

Hoover also informed the council that school officials have changed the routing to Martinsburg Elementary School. Buses will go on Spring Street to pick up students and bring them home. The parent route will go on Dilling Street, to the basketball court, and back out on Dilling Street.

The W. Gene Henry Memorial Committee will meet on Aug. 11, Gene Henry’s birthday, to discuss plaques for the memorial. Members of the committee went to Franklin, Pa., to look at plaques, and they were all “very impressed.”

Charles Kensinger suggested that the council set up a fund where the committee could put donations. This memorial will not use any tax dollars; it will be funded by private donations. Donations for the W. Gene Henry Memorial Account can be sent to the municipal building starting now.

This committee is also looking for a high quality photo of Gene Henry for the memorial.

Rich Brantner Jr. informed the council that the fire company’s building is “coming along.” They expect roofing to be done next week.

In a brief discussion about the biennial cleanup day (which will take place in 2022), Rich Brantner Jr. said that another township approached him to ask if they could “join forces” for a cleanup day. Kensinger was approached by a different township asking the same request. The council discussed and agreed that the borough has perfected its cleanup day and should not “mess with it.”