2025-06-10 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
June 10, 2025
Katie Blume called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the pledge of allegiance. Council members in attendance: Nickelaus Engle, Cecilia Gallup and Robert Zeigler. Also in attendance Denise Immel, Borough Secretary, Cim Besecker, Borough Treasurer and Solicitor John Miller. Absent: Beth Cottrell and Mayor Steve Myers
Citizens present: Amber May, Tammy Myers and Alan Auman
Citizens input: none
A motion was made by Cecilia Gallop to approve the May 13, 2025 council minutes and the May 13, 2025 town hall minutes as presented, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to approve the May 2025 financials as presented seconded by Nickelaus Engle. 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:
Rainy weather has given us the ability to finish sweeping streets. We moved on to filling pot holes and patching roads. Some of the bigger projects were re-surfacing both sides of Fawn Aly, a really bad section of road on Long Lane from the freeze thaw effect was graded for proper drainage. The bad section was cut out and replaced with new cold patch.
There was a bad storm the very beginning of May that effected multiple houses on North St. we organized a brush pick up, that was greatly appreciated by residents. With typical summer weather approaching we will be in the swing of mowing, trimming, and cutting road sides.
We have had a few meetings regarding our Dirt and Gravel project on Race Ally. With material being ordered and a clear project vision, we will be starting the project the beginning of June. Now that the busses are done we will not have to worry about obstructing their path. We believe that we will NOT have to completely shut the alley down for the residents that have rear parking when we approach their home we will make sure their property is assessable.
New Action Items
Invoices:
A motion was made by Cecilia Gallop to pay invoice #127754 in the amount of $2,500.00 to Buchart Horn for services rendered on the raw water main replacement project, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Nickelaus Engle to pay invoice #25-237-W1 in the amount of $87,125.00 to Kappa Associates, Inc. for first installment (25%) of equalization tank delivery and installation, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
July 4 fireworks:
Davie Grubb presented his proposal for a fireworks display to be held on the 4th of July at the Millheim Fire Company grounds. This is an event that he has presented every year for members of the community to enjoy. He is requesting permission from Borough Council to hold the 4th of July fireworks event within borough limits. A motion was made by Nickelaus to grant Mr. Grubb permission to hold the 4th of July fireworks display within the borough limits with the following conditions, all PA statues, in regard to fireworks must be met and no alcohol sales be allowed at the event. Liability insurance must be obtained and presented to Millheim Borough office as well a copy of the permission letter from the Fire Company prior to the event seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
Miles Township School closing:
Patricia Battaglia and Karla Groy presented information on the possible closing of the elementary school in Miles Township. The original hearing was held on May 12, 2025, the final decision will be made on August 12, 2025. The school board is trying to gather information on the impact of the school closing and are looking for citizens input. They sighted declining enrollment as one reason for closure, the school buildings located in Spring Mills and Centre Hall have the ability to handle the additional students. There are 55 students currently enrolled at Miles Township, all teacher and support staff would be placed in one of the two remaining building. There has been no open discussion on what would be done with the Miles Township building if it should close.
Route 45 project:
Leslie Kistner and Josiah Jones presented information from Happy Valley Adventure Bureau on the designation of Route 45 as a scenic byway. As HVAB feels this route to be astatically pleasing they are pursuing legislative action to have Route 45 designated as a scenic byway, this designation would prevent future billboards being installed but would not affect existing billboards. Guidelines and rulings would be consistent across the state and are enforced by the state. HVAB is seeking municipal support.
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler for Millheim Borough to support legislative action to designate Route 45 as a scenic byway, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion Passed.
Winter maintenance service agreement:
PennDot has supplied the Millheim Borough with the new winter maintenance agreement for snow removal from sidewalks crossing Elk Creek Bridge (Main Street) and Penn Street Bridge. This agreement begins with the 2025 winter season. This is a 5 year contract with a 2% increase per year. After the initial 5 years it automatically renew for 5 additional one year periods. A motion was made by Nickelaus Engle to approve the signing of the winter maintenance and the adoption of Resolution 2025-05 authorizing the President of Millheim Borough to sign the contract, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
Woman’s club bench:
Millheim Woman’s club has had a bench made of collected recycled plastic and are donating the bench to the Millheim Borough. Nickelaus Engle made a motion to securely place the bench on the Water Street property, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
Resolution 2025-04:
A motion was made by Katie Blume to adopt Resolution 2025-04 recognizing and supporting LGBTQ+ Pride Month June 2025, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
PennDot bid project:
A motion was made by Nickelaus Engle to resubmit the bid package for our Hillcrest project to Matt KeNepp for review, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
Old Action Items
Infrastructure updates:
DCED Multimodal grant bridge project:
At this time, Buchart Horn wants to hold this bidding for another month while we bid two other projects.
WWTP Project – Equalization tank:
The tank supplier is working through the COSTARS process. We should be hearing shortly when the first payment is due. We are 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 19, 2025, at 4:00pm. Buchart Horn has received the submittal from the Tank Supplier and are completing their review.
Raw Water Main Replacement:
The project is ready to be bid. The bid opening is scheduled for June 19, 2025, at 4:00pm.
Commonwealth Financing Authority – Multimodal Transportation Fund:
As discussed at the May meeting, Buchart Horn will begin working on this Grant Application to submit prior to the July 31, 2025, deadline. At the July meeting they will have a resolution to apply, and a couple of documents related to the application for signature.
DGLVR:
The Race Aly project to begin June 18.
Clock Tower CD and update:
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to have the CD moved to a 13 month term, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
Pool update:
Millheim Borough council has received an offer from the Millheim Lions Club to purchase Soldier and Sailors Memorial Park. Purchase price $1.00. Lions Club has placed several conditions on the sale. Information on forming a Joint Authority was reviewed along with a list from PVPRA on priorities for refurbishing the pool.
Millheim Borough council will hold their regular scheduled meeting at 8:30 AM on June 20, 2025 with a very limited agenda allowing extra time for public input on the purchase of Soldiers and Sailors Park.
Our monthly town hall meeting on July 08, 2025 at 6:00 PM will be open for public input on the purchase of the Park.
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to contact the Valley News, inquiring about prices to advertise the July 08 meeting, if under $250.00 and within the deadline run advertisement, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
VCBA update:
The organization has received a $5,000.00 grant to benefit the Route 45 Getaway program.
Town hall/open forum updates.
Discussions taking place at these meeting include summer service days where community member can volunteer time to benefit the community, working at Fountain Park, cleaning up around the Borough and volunteering to assist PVPRA with projects at Soldiers and Sailors Park.
Conversation have been held on Founders Fest, using the July 25 date and making the event week long.
Use of the Water Street property was also discussed, with the possibility of a pollinator garden being planted. Recommendation to contact Penns Valley Conservation for assistance. Mr. Engle was requested to prepare a resolution for the July meeting.
Secretary’s Report:
Ms. Immel’s notary will expire in November of 2025. A motion was made by Robert Zeigler authorizing the renewal of Ms. Immel’s notary, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to adjourn, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.
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Denise Immel, Borough Secretary