2026-03-10 Council Minutes
MILLHEIM BOROUGH COUNCIL
225 EAST MAIN STREET
P.O. BOX 421
MILLHEIM, PA 16854
(CENTRE COUNTY)
PHONE (814)-349-5350 FAX (814)-349-5733
REGULAR MEETING
March 10, 2026
Katie Blume called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the pledge of allegiance. Council members in attendance: Robert Zeigler, Cecilia Gallup, Marissa Evankovich and Beth Cottrell. Also in attendance, Mayor Nickelaus Engle, Denise Immel, Borough Secretary,Cim Besecker, Borough Treasurer and Solicitor John Miller.
Citizenspresent: Jason Ticknor, Alan Auman, Mark Engle, Richard Gallup. Amber May, Tammy Myers, Joe Ebling, Stephanie Hettinger, Kathy Highbaugh and Simon Leach
Citizens input: Richard Gallup questioned the proper procedure to have an abandoned and neglected building addressed. Solicitor Miller recommended to file a formal complaint to the code office
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to approve the February 10, 2026, council minutes with spelling corrections, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed. A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to approve the February 20, 2026, council minutes, with spelling and duplicate corrections seconded by Marissa Evankovich. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Beth Cottrell to approve the February 2026 financials as presented, seconded by Robert Zeigler. 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 Report:
February was full of cold weather and small snow events. When we weren’t treating the roads, we were mixing salt and antiskid for our stockpile. A larger order was put in for rock salt for next year in preparation for storms and stock. With the cold weather, there were quite a few meters that needed replaced on properties. With warmer temperatures coming we hope to access more properties to fix more meters/ MXU issues on homes to help better our water meter system. We have been finding some water meters that are dying before the replace by date, LB water is great to work with on keeping our inventory full and staying true to their warranties. We will be getting equipment ready to start sweeping streets soon and will be cleaning up residential properties as needed, due to putting snow/ stones in yards because of the amounts of snow we had this year. We will be working with our new water/ wastewater operator with any tasks we are needed for. Over the winter there have been several street signs that were damaged due to weather or accidents, we are working at getting them prepped and put back out on the street.
New Action Items
Invoices:
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to pay invoice Q178 in the amount of $119,750.00 to A3 USA, Inc. for 14 membranes and 2 technicians to assist in unloading, assembling and installation of the membranes, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to pay an invoice to Bellefonte Borough for sewer disposal of waste for the month of February, in the amount of $12,494.65. seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
Landowner agreement:
This is regarding our property on the corner of Center Street and Water Street. A grant of over $13,000 has been obtained that covers the costs of making it a more natural habitat. Work will be performed by the Centre County Conservation District. A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to authorize the signing of the Landowner Access Authorization, allowing CCCD access to the property, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.
Water and sewer updates:
Boil water timeline:
When ARRO performed an evaluation twice in February, there were numerous issues identified which led to the boil advisory being placed on the 21st. DEP did a full inspection on the 23rd and reported 84 deficiencies, some of which are preventing the boil water from being lifted, some are equipment related, valves may need replaced. This may be causing the turbidity being outside the acceptable range of DEP. Water samples were taken from various places throughout the Borough at that our filtration system is allowing a small amount of giardia thru to the drinking water. Giardia is present in all surface water and surface water is our main source of water. There have been no outbreaks of giardia in our community, and the CDC has not gotten involved. The filtration media is being evaluated and chemicals being adjusted. A solid plan has been established but the boil water advisory will not be lifted until DEP grants permission.
Valves and next steps:
The manufacturer is coming to evaluate the valves and advise if a replacement is necessary or if the valves can be repaired. Timeline is unknown. The filtration media is also being evaluated to see if it can be remediated or if replacement is going to be necessary. A corrective action is being followed.
Sewer plant membranes and next steps:
First step is to have all 14 membranes replaced. A3 USA delivered them today (March 10) and has 2 technicians on site to help with assembly and installation. We have not been processing sewage; it is being hauled to various locations for processing. With the next hauling the driver will return with a culture to be deposited in the sewer plant and the plant will be brought online. We should be able to start processing in the next 24-36 hours. This is an antiquated system, and everyone has been very helpful in securing the necessary repair parts.
There is a lot of work needed at both plants, all repairs will be prioritized, we will need to plan on some capital expenditures. USDA has emergency grants available. It is worth applying for both water and wastewater. Office located in Mill Hall.
Community feedback:
Mark Engle asked how much longer the boil water advisory will be in place
At least another week, maybe close to the end of next week.
Borough council discussed the idea of adjusting April water bill to reflect the inconvenience of the boil water advisory. Residents in attendance were asked to give their input. All agreed that the boil water advisory was inconvenient, but households are still using water for bathing, dishes, laundry etc. and did not see the need for any adjustments to the billing.
Other options of disseminating information are being researched. Have had discussion with Centre County EMS on robo calls or texts to residents.
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to authorize up to another $500.00 to be used to purchase gallons of drinking water to be made available to our residents, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
902 Recycling Grant:
The 902 round 63 grant application deadline is May 22, 2026. A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to apply for both a new chipper and a leaf collection system, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion carried. Robert Zeigler will have our maintenance crew gather estimates for the new equipment and submit the application.
Softball lease:
The land use agreement prepared by our solicitor for the Penns Valley Little League Softball organization was reviewed. A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to accept the agreement and authorize Katie Blume to sign, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
Troop 88 campout:
Troop 88 has sent a letter requesting permission to camp at the pool property the weekend of March 20 – 22, 2026. They will be doing community work in the area and would like to do some projects around the pool as well. A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to grant permission for Troop 88 to hold their camp out at the pool on the designated dates, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed. A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to purchase playground mulch for the scouts to spread around the playground equipment, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed. A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to have the borough supply a port a potty for scout use, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed. A call will be made to see if we can get a potty donated.
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 their structural engineer so that the design work on the plans and specifications can be completed. Their schedule moving forward is to bid with a contract award at the April 14, 2026, meeting with a completion date in July. Buchart Horn has not received final drawing from Chilton Designs at this point.
- Nickelaus Engle will speak with John Segursky to explain the timeline set for the multimodal bridge project is unacceptable as our grant will expire June 31, 2026
WWTP Project– Equalization Tank
- Mid Atlantic Storage Systems and Kappe sent Buchart Horn final submittal today to approve. When they arrived on site to begin construction of tank it was discovered that the foundation had not been prepared, 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 also reaching out to a couple of local contractors to see what pricing they would offer and if we will need to bid that work. They have received quotes from Mid-Atlantic and Dave Gutelius Excavating and they are both approximately $50,000.00. Buchart Horn would advise we add the change order to Mid Atlantics work versus bidding the site prep.
Annual Waste load Management Report – CH 94
- Buchart Horn has been completing the Ch 94 the last couple of years as a complement to the existing projects they have been working on. They are willing to do that again for the 2025 report. They will need the data from the plant. A motion was made by Robert Zeilger so approve Buchert Horn working with Jodi Muther to prepare the Chapter 94 report, seconded by Marissa Evankovich. Motion passed.
Park and Rec update
Financial records have been received along with the balance of funds in the park and rec account; keys are being collected.
Authority creation:
Before the Recreation Authority can be created a name must be decided upon along with the number of member of members and names that will sit on the authority.
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to have the legal name of the recreation authority to be East Penns Valley Recreation Authority with 5 acting members, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed. Member will be actively recruited.
Grants and fundraising:
The Penguins swim team is launching a $100,000.00 campaign to support the pool repairs. There is no guarantee that the pool will open this year. There is between 200K – 250k needed to reline the pool and do necessary repairs. These repairs may allow the pool to function for another 2 – 5 years. When the recreation authority is in place they will be able to apply for grants.
Secretary’s report
Tax collection committee:
We have been asked to appoint a representative to the Centre County tax collection committee. A motion was made by Katie Blume to appoint Kathy Highbaugh as the borough representative, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
Late fees:
As the USPS is now stamping mail on the date of processing which in most cases is not the date the post office received the piece of mail, how would council like to proceed as to when late fees are charged. A motion was made by Beth Cottrell to use the postmark as reference for assessing a late charge and if a payment is received postmarked prior to due date but after late fees have been assessed the late fee should be reversed, seconded by Rober Zeigler. Motion passed.
Treasurer informed council that our 2026 liquid fuels allocation has been received.
A $100.00 donation has been received from the Dave Sprowl estate to be applied to the pool renovations.
A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 9:02 PM.
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Denise Immel, Borough Secretary