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MILL HALL -- Mill Hall Borough council spent much of its July meeting approving ordinance updates, addressing ongoing code enforcement issues and postponed a final decision on the future of its long-discussed pool renovation project, opting instead to schedule a special meeting next week while awaiting word on possible funding assistance through Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson.
Council members said they remain approximately $1.2 million short of the funding needed to move the project forward.
Mill Hall Dolphin and former mayor, Tom Bossert, reported that he had spoken with Thompson regarding potential funding sources to close the gap.
"I asked him specifically for the amount we were deficient in," Bossert said. "He said he was going to put staff on the subject and get back to me within a week with whatever the resolution is."
Bossert said Thompson referenced recreational funding opportunities that may be available, giving council reason to wait before making a final decision.
Some council members stressed the importance of acting soon if construction is planned to begin this year.
"How much longer are we going to be able to wait on this," Council member Tony Walker asked. "We know we're short, and that's only for the pool. We're not even talking about the bathhouse."
Rather than award or reject the bids that have been received, council voted to advertise and hold a special meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 6:30 p.m., dedicated solely to the project following Thompson's response.
On a recommendation of the Ordinance Committee, council approved several ordinance updates, including noise in the borough, dogs at large and outdoor burning.
Council approved ordinance no. 2026-05, relating to noise in the borough following discussion between council and The Valley Hotel owner, Tom Smith.
According to Secretary April Bittner, an invoice has been sent to Smith and once paid will start the second level and allow the ordinance to be sent to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for approval.
Council also approved revisions to the borough's current dogs-at-large ordinance, updating outdated fines and removing language requiring police to seize loose animals.
Mill Hall Police Chief Brandon Coleman said the current ordinance exposes the borough to unnecessary liability.
"If we seize an animal, we're completely responsible for it -- vet bills, everything," Coleman said. "It's just in our best interest not to be in that business."
Under the proposed revisions, loose animals would continue to be turned over to the Clinton County SPCA, with owners responsible for any associated costs.
In addition, council authorized updates to the borough's outdoor burning ordinance, clarifying regulations for recreational fires while maintaining exceptions for cooking fires fueled by gas, charcoal or wood.
Council unanimously voted to begin the process of changing the borough's zoning and code enforcement services by issuing a 60 day notice of termination to Light-Heigel & Associates, the current zoning officer, floodplain administrator and building code provider.
Following the approval of the termination letter, council approved the appointment of Code Assessment Professionals to assume those responsibilities once the 60 day notice period expires, or sooner if Light-Heigel ends its services before then.
To avoid any lapse in services, Bittner has worked closely with Code Assessment Professionals to prepare all necessary agreements.
The change comes as the borough continues to address a growing number of code enforcement matters, including sidewalk compliance, property maintenance and ordinance enforcement throughout the community.
In other business, council :
-- Appointed Steve Gibson as the engineer on the CDBG project relating to sidewalks.
-- Approved hiring Josh Weaver as a new public works employee.
-- Approved Patriot Tree Surgeons to clean up broken limbs on the maple tree in the park and several other trees in the borough's right of way, totaling $3,650.
-- Approved RPM Parking Lot Maintenance to paint lines at the railroad crossing, totaling $450.