MONT ALTO – Discussion at the Monday, July 7, meeting of the Mont Alto Borough Council will focus on the decision by Penn State to close the Mont Alto campus. After discussion of old business items, new business will focus on Penn State Mont Alto correspondence, presented to inform citizens about the latest news in a disheartening educational development.
Mont Alto will hold its monthly Borough Council meeting on Monday, July 7, at 6:30 pm. The borough conducts these meetings on the first Monday of each month at its city offices, 3 N. Main St., in Mont Alto.
PSU notified the community in May that it planned to close the Mont Alto campus as part of its downsizing of satellite locations. Penn State’s board of trustees voted to close seven PSU branch campuses, effective in spring 2027. The rationale for this decision was declining enrollment and financial challenges.
However, several area lawmakers and education advocates are questioning the decision and hope to keep the PSU campus operating. They believe the closure will cause a detrimental impact to the area, hurting students, residents and local businesses.
In addition, the history and prestige of Mont Alto’s Forestry School is a significant factor, being one of the oldest such programs in the nation; it began at the current campus location in 1903.
Mont Alto’s government consists of a seven-person council and a mayor. The current council is presided over by Earl McCleaf, president, and assisted by Richard Lee, vice president. The additional five board members are Carla Bumbaugh, Donna Henderson, Debra Lee, Dave Rock and Gregory Smith. Mont Alto also has a Municipal Authority with five members, and Curtis Finney serves as the current chairman.
The Borough of Mont Alto is currently under mandatory water conservation due to prior drought conditions. The Municipal Authority recently notified residents it is searching for new water sources. The borough’s hydrologist, Jim Casselberry, identified four possible drilling locations.
According to Mont Alto’s website, seeking water in these locations “will have some impact on either the Mont Alto State Forest or Mont Alto State Park.” The borough has met with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to discuss options. Meanwhile, Mont Alto’s government has also explored an inter-connection option with the Guilford Township Water Authority to receive emergency water.
Additional information about the meeting and related Mont Alto services are available on the town’s website: montaltoborough.com or by calling 717-749-5808.
