2026-02-10 Council Minutes
225 EAST MAIN STREET
P.O. BOX 421
MILLHEIM, PA 16854
(CENTRE COUNTY)
PHONE (814)-349-5350 FAX (814)-349-5733
REGULAR MEETING
February 10, 2026
MILLHEIM BOROUGH COUNCIL
Katie Blume called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the pledge of allegiance. Council members in attendance: Cecilia Gallup, Marissa Evankovich, Beth Cottrell and Mayor Nickelaus Engle. Also, in attendanceCim Besecker, Borough Treasurer, Denise Immel, Borough Secretary and Solicitor John Miller. Absent: Robert Zeigler
Citizens present: John Segursky representing Buchart Horn and Amber May
Citizens input: none
A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to approve the January 05, 2026, council minutes, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to approve the January 2026 financials as presented, seconded by Marissa Evankovich. Motion passed.
Our rates on the CD/Money market accounts at Central Penn will expire February 28, 2026. Central Penn has offered us 3.90% with unlimited deposits and allowing one (1) withdrawal per month on the current balances for twelve (12) months. Beth Cottrell made a motion to accept the 3.90% for twelve (12) months, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
Code Enforcement/HARB/Planning Commission reports:
The Code Enforcement report was reviewed with no questions or comments. No reports from HARB or Planning Commission.
Employee Reports
At the beginning of every year we start collecting residents Christmas Trees, this year we collected 17 throughout the month of January. With the weather being colder and past snow events, we had to wait until the third week of January to take down the Christmas decorations. January 12 the new Kioti skid steer was delivered. We were very fortunate to have the new piece of equipment for the snow event we had the 25th – 26th. We had 11 inches of snow. Once the snow was cleared, we had town clean out. The first night of town clean out was on the 27th, we did not complete town clean out until the following nigh on the 28th. Town clean out is done to help the Millheim businesses and many residents along East and West Main St. along with the post office side on Penn St. These roads are not maintained by the borough we just complete snow removal. With this 11-inch storm we completed town clean out in 14 hours. After snow squalls and drifting stopped, we delegated time to clean up large piles of snow to help with visibly and prevent future melting issues. We do this around town in preparation for any future snow events. Some of the larger piles we took care of were at the fire hall and on Claren Ct. Last year we requested 30 ton of rock salt for our salt/ anti-skid mix. We had 21 ton delivered. With all of the weather events we have had this year our salt inventory is decreasing rapidly. This year we placed our 2026 order for an additional 30 ton. With not receiving the amount asked for we have had to order every year, where in years past we would order once every two years. We are hoping we can start building our salt inventory back up.
A staff meeting was held on February 10, 2026, beginning at 8:00 AM. At this meeting Justin Kerstetter advised President Blume of his intentions to resign his position as water/sewer operator, estimated last day of employment March 23, 2026. Mr. Kerstetter was advised he would need to submit a formal written resignation letter
A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to advertise the position, seconded by Beth Cottrell.
New Action Items
Invoices:
A motion was made by Marissa Evankovich to pay invoice #12977 in the amount of $2,000.00 to Buchart Horn for professional services on raw water main replacement, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Marissa Evankovich to pay invoice #2896in the amount of $992.50 to Doty & Hench for liability insurance at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park swimming pool, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
Paper alley legal filing:
We have received legal notification that Russell and Stephanie Burkholder and Dennis and Lynnann Gates have filed a civil complaint to quiet title to an unopened ally between their properties and to the unopened portion of Gramley Avenue the border their properties on the north.
Beth Cottrell made a motion to not defend the lawsuit seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
Fireman’s Carnival:
Millheim Fire Company has presented a letter requesting approval to close off Poplar Street and 2nd Street to allow for their annual carnival to be held June 18, 19 and 20, 2026 with the parade being held on the June 18, 2026.
A motion was made by Beth Cottrell to allow closing of the requested streets from June 14, 2026, until the conclusion of the carnival, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
Ball Field usage:
A request has been received from the Penns Valley Little League Softball to use the boroughs ballfields. They have spoken with the Little League and have received an agreement to share the fields. A motion was made by Beth Cottrell to approve the request with Millheim Borough being listed as an additional insured on insurance, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed. John Miller to draw up a lease.
PVCA/Centre Co Conservation project:
PVCA has expressed interest in the Water Street lot, funding available to rehab into an educational space.
Fountain Park guidelines:
A motion was made by Beth Cottrell to authorize expenditures up to $500.00 without prior approval, seconded by Marissa Evankovich. Motion passed. Breezy Acres is our go to for flowers and baskets.
Old Action Items
Infrastructure updates:
DCED multimodal grant bridge project:
Buchart Horn received the Geotechnical report on 12/31/2025. It has been forwarded to the structural engineer so that he can complete his design work on the plans and specifications. Their schedule moving forward is to bid with a contract award at the April 14, 2026, meeting with a completion date in July.
Katie Blume asked for the bid date to be moved to March with a complete date of June as our grant will expire on June 30, 2026.
WWTP PROJECT – EQUILIZATION TANK.
Mid Atlantic Storage Systems and Kappe sent Buchart Horn a final submittal today to approve. They are looking at mobilizing next week to begin the foundation work. When they arrived on site, they indicated that their contract did not include the site preparation for the tank foundation. They are preparing a price for that work. Buchart Horn is reaching out to a couple of local contractors to see what pricing they would offer and if we will need to bid that work.
DEP Dam Inspection:
DEP completed the annual inspection of the dam on Philips Run. There were items that they felt were critical to address. Buchart Horn has reached out to the inspector to talk through the items he noted. The items are listed below:
1. Remove the debris that has accumulated along the weir (ongoing maintenance)
2. Repair the draw down system of the dam. The existing drawdown system is not operational but there is a system that can complete that function. If he is not satisfied with the operation, we can easily install a valve at the dam since the raw water line was replaced
3. Concrete repair of the spillway and abutments. This item is the one that we must be most concerned with. Once we understand that scope of repair he is suggesting we can understand the issue more clearly. Per Buchart Horn’s discussion with the inspector, he was not aware of any formal response that is required to DEP. They did discuss the deficiencies noted and he thought that most items are sufficiently addressed.
Pool Update:
The Memorandum of Understanding has been signed. The Swim team is fund raising in hopes of bring in $100,000.00. It appears that the best option at this time is to repair the pool and gain an additional 3-5 years of use.
Authority creation:
John Miller to start drafting authority agreement. Will need a name and initial member for the agreement to be completed.
Secretary’s report:
Printer request:
A motion was made by Beth Cottrell to replace the treasurer’s printer not to exceed $500.00, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
Old copier disposal:
Progress Grange has expressed interest in the old Sharp copier. A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to donate the old Sharp copier to Progress Grange, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed. Progress Grange will arrange pickup.
A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to adjourn, seconded Marissa Evankovih. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:35PM.
___________________________________
Denise Immelm Borough Secretary