Author: Secretary

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

February 20, 2026

Robert Zeigler called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM with the pledge of allegiance. Council members in attendance: Beth Cottrell and Mayor Nickelaus Engle, Katie Blume and Marissa Evankovich attended via zoom. Also, in attendanceCim Besecker, Borough Treasurer, Denise Immel, Borough Secretary and Solicitor John Miller attended via zoom. Absent: Cecilia Gallup

Citizens present:  none

Citizens input none

Code Enforcement/HARB/Planning Commission reports:

No reports from HARB or Planning Commission or Code Enforcement

New Action Items

Invoices:

A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to pay invoice #BT3492582 in the amount of $3,990.00 to Baker Tilly for annual audit for year ending December 31, 2025, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed

A motion was made by Robert Zeigler 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

Robert Zeigler called for the executive session. Executive session started at 8:33 AM.

Rober Zeigler call the regular council meeting back in session at 8:40 AM

CD Information from Central Penn:

Our rates on the CD/Money market accounts at Central Penn will expire February 28, 2026. Central Penn has amended their offer of 3.90% with unlimited deposits and unlimited withdrawals, to 3.90% on existing balances any deposits going forward would be at market rate, unlimited deposits and one (1) withdrawal per month. Robert Zeigler made a motion to accept the amended offer seconded by Marissa Evankovich. Motion passed.

Water/Sewer operations and staffing:

A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to terminate Justin Kerstetter as the Borough’s water and sewer operator effective February 20, 2026, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Beth Cottrell to accept the contract from Arro to take over the water and sewer operation for the Borough and authorize Robert Zeigler to sign the contract, seconded by Marissa Evankovich. Motion passed.

LSA Grant Decision:

Jodi Muthler has the ability to write grants for the sewer and water if needed.

A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to adjourn, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 9:05 AM.

_____________________________________

Denise Immel, Borough Secretary

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 25^th – 26^th. 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 27^th, we did not complete town clean out until the following nigh on the 28^th. 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 2^nd 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

MILLHEIM BOROUGH COUNCIL

                                                                                 225 EAST MAIN STREET            

P.O. BOX 421

MILLHEIM, PA 16854

(CENTRE COUNTY)

                                            PHONE (814) 349-5350                  FAX (814) 349-5733 

REORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

January 05, 2024

Notary Denise Immel administered the Oath of Office to the Borough’s newly elected Mayor, Nickelaus Engle.

Mayor Nickelaus Engle called the meeting to order with the pledging of allegiance at 7:00 PM. Council members in attendance: Robert Zeigler, Beth Cottrell, also in attendance Secretary Denise Immel, and Treasurer Cim Besecker. Absent Solicitor John Miller.

Citizens Present: Tess Weigard, Angel Weigard, Frank Weigard and Amber May

Mayor Engle asked the newly elected council members and tax collector to stand and administered the Oath of Office to Cecilia Gallup, Marissa Evankovich and Kathy Highbaugh. After the swearing in ceremony Mayor Engle called for nominations for council president. Robert Zeigler nominated Katie Blume seconded by Beth Cottrell. Mayor Engle asked for additional nominations, with no other nominations or objections all voted for Katie Blume for council president. President Blume asked for nominations for council vice president. Katie Blume nominated Cecilia Gallup seconded by Robert Zeigler, with no other nominations or objections all voted for Cecilia Gallup for council vice president.

A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to approve the December 09, 2025 minutes as presented, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Beth Cottrell to approve the December financials as presented, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.

Code Enforcement/HARB/Planning Commission reports:

The Code Enforcement report was reviewed with no questions or comments.  The fines and letters email listing various ordinances code enforcement feels would benefit to add various fines for infraction was reviewed.

A motion was made by Robert Ziegler to proceed with this process and instruct Solicitor Miller to draft the ordinance for council to review, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.

No reports from HARB or the Planning Commission. 

Employee Reports:

After Thanksgiving an order was placed for a 9 foot artificial tree, it arrived on December 8^th and was installed at Fountain Park, decorated and was ready for Merry Millheim. Heritage Electric was contacted to help with electrical problems, they came on December 12th and fixed the problem outlets for the Christmas decorations, they also fixed the dusk to dawn light on the side of the Borough building. Through the month of December time was spent prepping roads for small storms and storm clean up. An order was placed and received for the two replacement street brooms from Hoover Tractor.

A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to approve Justin Kerstetter’s request for one (1) week vacation payout as written in the employee handbook, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed

New Action Items

Invoices:

A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to pay invoice #25-273-W2 in the amount of $$174,250.00 to Kappa Associates for the second installment of the equalizer tank (aqustore tank model 4215-SSTT), seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.

Council Committee Appointments:

Robert Zeigler made a motion to accept the following appointments, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.

Building & Insurance Committee – Cecilia Gallup

Personnel Committee: Katie Blume

Sewer Committee: Beth Cottrell

Streets & Alleys: Robert Zeigler

Water Committee: Marissa Evankovich

Review Board/commission appointments:

A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to adopt Resolution 2026-01 appointing Curt Desousa to a three (3) year term on the Millheim Borough Zoning Committee, seconded Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.

Auditor engagement letter:

A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to approve Katie Blume signing the engagement letter as presented by Baker Tilly for the 2025 financial audit, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.

All other appointments:

A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to appoint the following:

Solicitor: John Miller III, Engineer: Buchart Horn, Open Records Officer: Nickelaus Engle, President Pro-Tem: Cecilia Gallup, Zoning Officer: Michael Lesniak, Chief Administrative Officer: Cim Besecker, Vacancy Board: Richard Gallup, Local Emergency Management: Scott Long, Regional Planning; Robert Zeigler, Fire Tax Committee: Cecilia Gallup, Beautification Committee: (Fountain Park) Amber May , seconded by Cecilia Gallup, Penns Valley Code Enforcement: Robert Zeigler, Penns Valley EMS: Gary Stine seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Beth Cottrell to appoint Justin Dashem and John Howell (Penns Valley Code Enforcement) as the Millheim Borough sewer enforcement officers and: Laron Horner as the Millheim Borough alternate Sewer Enforcement officer, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.

Account signers:

A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to remove Steve Myer as a signer on all financial accounts associated with the Borough tax identification number and add Nickelaus Engle, along with Denise Immel, Katie Blume and Cim Besecker as signers on all financial accounts associated with the Borough tax identification number, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.

EDU review

Process establishment:

Katie Blume, Beth Cottrell and Denise Immel met to review the existing EDU structure. Based on information obtained from surveys obtained from local business and landlords it was discovered that there is inaccuracies and inconstancies in the number of EDU’s assigned to various properties within the Borough. Solicitor Miller will be asked to amend the current EDU guidelines for restaurants to increase the seating from 20 to 30 per EDU based on fire code occupancy. A motion was made by Beth Cottrell to send a certified letter to all properties that will see a change in their EDU structure, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.

Reduction and increase:

Simon Leach has closed the pottery business at 105 Dana’s Drive. He is requesting a reduction in EDU charges, from 1.5 EDU to 1 EDU, to reflect this changes. A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to reduce the EDU’s from 1.5 to 1 with the understanding if he or a new owner decide to rent or reopen the additional unit at 105 Dana’s Drive a new tap on fee will be required and additional EDUs added to the account, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.

Sid Allen has discontinued the rental of the second unit in his property located at 101 Walter Street. He is requesting a reduction in EDU charges, from 2 EDU to 1 EDU, to reflect this change. A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to reduce the EDU’s from 2 to 1, with the understanding if he or a new owner decide to rent the additional unit at 101 Walter Street, a new tap on fee will be required and additional EDUs added to the account, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.

Old Action Items

Infrastructure Updates:

DCED Multimodal Grant Bridge:

The Geotechnical report was received on 12/31/2026. It has been forwarded to the structural engineer at Buchart Horn so that he can complete his design work on the plans and specifications.

WWTP Project- equalization tank:

Mid Atlantic Storage Systems and Kappe has sent Buchart Horn a final submittal to approve. They are looking at mobilizing next week to begin the foundation work. Buchart Horn has discussed the issues and changes to try to get a better price proposal for the civil work. The permit application is in the works and will be submitted once completed.

Commonwealth Financing Authority – 2024 LSA Grants:

CFA met and made decisions on the 2024 LSA Grants and the Borough was not selected in that round. We still have a few more applications in the queue.

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. Here are the items listed: 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 is most concerning. Once Buchart Horn understands that scope of repair he is suggesting we can understand the issue more clearly.

Accept County liquid Fuels:

Centre County has awarded the Borough funds to improve High Street, Hillcrest Avenue and Cherry Street. A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to accept the funding and authorize Katie Blume to sign the MS-339 form, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.

Secretary’s Report:

Statement of Financial interest were disbursed, completed and returned by members present.

A motion was made by Marissa Evankovich to adjourn, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM.

_____________________________________

Denise Immel, Borough Secretary