Martinsburg Borough Council Approves Bonuses for Employees

Martinsburg Borough approved using American Rescue Plan funds to supply bonuses to active employees in good standing of $750 for full-time employees and $375 for the part-time secretary.

This was determined after an executive session during the council’s last meeting of the year on Dec. 5.

The council also approved the following:

• Adopt 2023 Budget

• Adopt 2023 Tax Ordinances (no changes from 2022)

• Adopt Ordinance No. 2022-644 Act 57 of 2022 Effect of Failure to Receive Real Estate Tax Notice, which allows taxpayers failing to receive real estate tax notices to apply for and request a waiver.

•  2022-23 Per Capita Tax Exonerations

Police Chief Kerry Hoover predicts that the new cruiser will come in mid- to late January.

Hoover also noted that eight departments within Blair County are still researching replacements for the police record management system (RMS) to replace their aging systems. The group of eight police departments were scheduled to meet Wednesday, Dec. 7, to review other companies’ proposals. All departments in Blair County were invited to this meeting, in case those with a different RMS would also like to make a change. Hoover said that it could be beneficial for other departments in the county to be on the same RMS. This could make it easier to share information across departments.

“Of course, we’d be careful about what we would share, but there’s certain information that would be nice to share,” Hoover said.

Hoover said that one of the companies presenting a proposal also hosts the department’s computer aided dispatch (CAD), which helps first responders communicate through dispatchers.

According to Hoover, the three areas that departments are considering in this decision are price, ability to communicate with the CAD system, and ease of sharing with other departments.

Borough Manager Rich Brantner Jr. reported that there is about 500 feet of line in so far on the interconnection between Martinsburg and Curryville. He also told the council that the borough building’s new generator should be set next week.

The dump truck that will replace the 2006 dump truck – which will be out for bid in coming months – will be delivered to Stuckey Automotive between Dec. 15 to the 21, but that is subject to change.

President Rob Dickson and councilmembers Darin Meck and Charles Kensinger will be on a committee to handle requests for proposals for borough solicitors.

Kensinger and Councilmember Edward Bennett both expressed gratitude for the “good, active fire company” and said that the borough is “blesssed” to have the fire company.

Mayor Rich Brantner Sr. noted that the company constantly has extensive training.

Kensinger also applauded the mayor for often taking photos at local events. Kensinger said the mayor photographed the unveiling of the W. Gene Henry Memorial and gave Henry’s three nieces and Kensinger flash drives with the photos.