Millerstown Borough Council Meeting Minutes November 4, 2024 Those in attendance: President Rob Shipp, Vice President Kevin Hertzler, Council members Rich Fegley, Tim Ritzman and Donna Showers. Secretary Karen Knellinger, Mayor John Kerns, Plant Manager Dave Stroup, Assistant Manager Jared Wagner and Operator Brycen Little. HRG engineers Justin Medinsky, Solicitor Bill Dissinger and Zoning Officer Tim Reilly. President Shipp called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Public and Private Concerns No sign ins. The minutes from the regular meeting were emailed and reviewed. Vice President Hertzler made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Councilmember Fegley seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. The bills/receipts/expenditures were reviewed and discussed. Vice President Hertzler made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Councilmember Showers seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. Street Committee Report Chair Fegley had nothing to report. Topsoil on Nace Street was added and will be seeded in the Spring. Sewer Committee Dave advises the basin #2 at the plant will be pumped down and the brackets repaired on 11/18 and change the diffusers. Water Committee Report The new well meter was received inoperable. The impeller inside is damaged and will need to be sent back. On DEP’s mandated Service Line Inventory, any unknown material on either side of the main, the resident will need to be notified by letter of possible lead. The letters must be sent out by 11/15/24. There will Water Committee Report cont. be over 100 homes with materials unconfirmed and must be dug up on both sides to determine the material. Most of the homes will be on Sunbury, N. High and Market Streets. We will have three years to determine the material. The lead and copper testing we do id non-detect and there is no lead present in the water. The actual SLI has not been submitted because of problems with the DEP spreadsheet. HRG has seen many issues from their other customers as well. According to DEP rules, Dave sent a water test too early for testing which will trigger a violation. The test needs to be done three days prior or after the due date which would have been a Sunday. This will be recorded on the Borough CCR report next year and we will also get a letter. Finance Committee Report After discussion and with no increases in taxes, water, sewer or trash rates, Councilmember Ritzman made a motion to approve the preliminary budget as presented. Councilmember Fegley seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. Solid Waste Committee Report The bids for a new contract for 2025-2027 will be opened at the December meeting. Solicitor’s Report Solicitor Dissinger presented the advertised ordinances to amend #161 and 162 to collect costs for tapping fees before the connection occurs. There will be an estimated cost plus 10% to be paid 30 days in advance. Vice President Hertzler made a motion to accept Ordinance #2024-04 amending the sewer connection costs. Councilmember Showers seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. Councilmember Fegley made a motion to accept Ordinance # 2024-05, amending water connection costs. Councilmember Ritzman seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. Engineer’s Report Justin advises there are no active plans to review. They are reviewing the reports form Envirep on the force main pigging. There is a possibility of air to be in the lines or some other obstruction. The four air release valves are operable but the settings and controls were changed and the pumps may have developed deposits if the force was not enough. He has rough estimates of $45,000 to pig the line or and ice function for an additional $5,000-$10,000. He will be amending the scope of the grant to include the main cleaning. The next step is to receive actual firm quotes. He presented a project assignment form for the secondary water source for $3,000 plus reimbursables. This is necessary to move forward on Grants.gov and retain a hydrogeologist to determine the best test well site and will be built into the grant budget. Councilmember Fegley made a motion to approve the retainer Engineer’s Report cont. agreement as presented. Councilmember Showers seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. Zoning Permit Zoning Officer Reilly advises he approved a permit for a deck. This was after digging and construction began and they were advised to cease until they received a building permit and inspections. Solicitor Dissinger will be sending BIU a letter to proceed and enforce the violation proceedings. Mayor’s Report The State Police will not assist in the parking issues on S. Market Street. Old Business The ac was fixed again in the dump truck. Council needs to have a new Chair for the Municipal Authority since Tim Reilly will be stepping down at the end of the year. Vice President Hertzler made a motion to approve Vice Chair Allan Rapp as the Municipal Authority Chair for 2025. Councilmember Fegley seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. Mr. Reilly will remain a board member. The pick-up detail looks very good. A motion was made to detail the dump truck for $200 by Councilmember Ritzman. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Showers. Approval was unanimous. New Business The County offered to attend the December meeting to speak on reassessments. Council does not see the need. Dave will hand in his written resignation at the next meeting. He will be taking Christmas week off for vacation and return to work December 30th and 31st. Council adjourned to an Executive Session for legal matters. Council went back to regular session. Councilmember Fegley made a motion to adjourn. Vice President Hertzler seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. The next meeting will be held on Monday, December 2nd at 7pm.