2025-05-13 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
May 13, 2025
Robert Zeigler called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the pledge of allegiance. Council members in attendance: Nickelaus Engle, Cecilia Gallup and Beth Cottrell. Also in attendance Denise Immel, Borough Secretary, Cim Besecker, Borough Treasurer and Solicitor John Miller. Absent: Katie Blume and Mayor Steve Myers
Citizens present: Amber May, Tammy Myers and Alan Auman
Citizens input:
A motion was made by Beth Cottrell to approve the April 08, 2025 council minutes and the April 08, 2025 town hall minutes as presented, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Nickelaus Engle to approve the April 2025 financials as presented seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Nickelaus Engle to move the interest earned on the ARA funds to our general account pending confirmation that the funds do not need to be returned, seconded Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Beth Cottrell to move the clock certificate of deposit to best rate available, 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 Report:
Spring time is here and staying busy is not a problem. Our compactor roller has been picked up and is ready for projects. Street sweeping will begin as soon as possible, but that is all weather depending, as rain is needed to cut down on dust. Brush and leaf pick up was held, with a second pick up being scheduled for North Street to pick up from storm damage. With mowing season starting we have maintained all of our mowing equipment and put some time into our trailer to keep it in good repair. A lot of time was spent getting prepared for the new gazebo, electrical work, prepping the stone pad and dismantling light poles and benches to get the new gazebo in. The benches have all been fixed and painted. We will keep our eye out shopping around for new benches, as we put a lot of money into them every year. A more cost effective bench would be nice. For the first time we ordered a full truck load of cold patch. Usually every year we get around 10 ton from Gregg Twp. That amount usually last 1 summer. With ordering a full truck load (around 20 ton) we should be able to make it a little over two years. Avoiding a middle man for ordering, and knowing that we will have it in stock. We spent some time resurfacing Fawn Alley, instead of just filling in the pot holes we scraped, leveled and laid new stone making the alley much smoother, we hope to get more allies done as the summer goes on. We have been working at roadside drains and re-edging some parts of Long Lane.
Recently there was a tree issue on Walnut Street. The home owner reached out to Ben Haupt about removing the tree. The cost of this single maple tree is $1,800. It is said that years go the Borough had planted all of the trees on this road. This maple tree is leaning towards the home and is dying on the inside and needs removed. Ben Haupt has been contacted about said maple tree and two spruce trees on Borough property. These two tree are in between our playground and residence. We would like to have these removed as well, as would the home owner, eliminating the risk of potential damage. Mr. Haupt quoted us at $800 to cut these down. Bringing the total to $2,800 for the removal of 3 dangerous trees.
A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to accept the bid from Ben Haupt and have the trees removed, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed
Dam inspection:
A dam inspection was performed on the Millheim Supply Dam
New Action Items
Invoices:
A motion was made by Nickelaus Engle to pay invoice #127513 in the amount of $500.00 to Buchart Horn for services rendered on the raw water main replacement project and invoice #127512 in the amount of $145.56 to Buchart Horn for services rendered on the equalization tank seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.
West Penn:
West Penn has credited the virtual net energy – host sewage account with $7,295.66. Payout for solar produced energy not used by the borough.
Community work release:
With the probable closing of Rockview State Correctional Institute, this may be the last year the work program will be available. Robert Zeigler will reach out to the program director and have us added as an organization requesting help from their work crew.
Roof repair:
An inspection of the borough building’s roof, by R.H. Marcon, Inc. has revealed an area where the wall flashing is not adhered to the wall. Approximately 40LF will need to be repaired at a cost of $2,640.00. A motion was made by Nickelaus Engle to approve Robert Zeigler signing the authorization to proceed, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
Old Action Items
Infrastructure Update:
DCED Multimodal Bridge Grant:
At this time Buchart Horn is holding this bidding another month while we bid two other projects.
WWTP Project Equalization Tank:
The tank supplier is working through the COSTARS process Buchart Horn has received the submittal from the Tank Supplier and are completing their review. The supplier will soon be asking for a deposit which is 25% of the value or $87,125.00. Buchart Horn is in position to bid the civil work for the tank project that includes the valves, vault, site piping and conduit. The bid opening is scheduled for June 5, 2025 at 4:00pm.
Raw Water Main Replacement:
The project is ready to be bid. The bid opening is scheduled for June 6, 2025 at 4:00pm.
PA Small Water and Sewer Grant:
CFA has reopened this grant program. This is an 85% Grant and 15% matching program with an application fee of $100. The maximum project cost is $500,000. Buchart Horn has had a discussion with Justin on a wish list project. He indicated that he would like to do an electrical and control upgrade at the wastewater plant. Buchart Horn has spoken with Nittany Controls and have been given an estimated project budget of $400,000. The Grant Application was submitted prior to the deadline.
DGLVR Update:
Mr. DeGarmo and Mr. Confer will be meeting with Seth Narehood to review the project and will begin Race Ally project in June.
Grant Opportunities:
A motion was made by Nickelaus Engle to resubmit the DCED Multimodal application for Mill Street in case the original application is denied, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.
Clock Tower update:
The clock tower has been assessed by a restoration group, they feel the tower is structurally sound, two grant applications have been submitted by Calvary Church for funding to repair the structure. No funding has been returned by Calvary Church.
Pool Update:
The pool is holding water, the pressure from the pumps maybe causing a pressure crack in the lines. Dinner fundraiser brought in $2,300.00. Grants have been applied for.
Ordinance update: no report
Ordinance 283 Claren Court dedication:
A motion was made by Nickelaus Engle to adopt Ordinance 283 accepting the deed of dedication for the street in Mensch Estates subdivision designated as Claren Court as dedicated by the developer, Davis and Wagner, Inc., trading as Brookside Homes, authorizing the filing of a copy of the ordinance in the Prothonotary’s office of Centre County and forwarding a cope to the Department of Transprotation, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
Secretary’s Report
Edu’s and properties for sale:
Two properties on the currently on the market have the capabilities of being multi-unit dwellings. A motion was made by Nickelaus Engle to notify the agents involved of the potential for additional cost to reinstate the second EDU, seconded by Beth Cottrell.
Claren Court:
Check has bee received in the amount of $1,200.00 for 2024/2025 winter road maintenance of Claren Court.
Bookcase:
The office has outgrown its existing bookcase, we would like to be able to purchase a larger bookcase from one of the numerous market pages. A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to approve up to $500.00 for the purchase of a bookcase, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.
Gazebo:
The bill for the gazebo has been received, how does council wish to cover the funds over the insurance reimbursement? A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to split the balance 50/50 general account and beautification account, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Nickelaus Engle, Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:38 PM.
___________________________________________
Denise Immel, Borough Secretary