[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6375104,"mediaKeyId","2142421-8dc9edf4167747f6c34bb57fa519166b","parentId",2142421,"title","Bellefonte council swears in junior councilmember, approves staff appointments and updates policies; votes at a glance","audioSeconds",2049,"startMs",4156000,"endMs",6205000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2142421-8dc9edf4167747f6c34bb57fa519166b&start=4156&end=6205","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2142421-8dc9edf4167747f6c34bb57fa519166b/thumbnail_4156000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6375104/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/Bellefonte-council-swears-in-junior-councilmember-approves-staff-appointments-and-updates-policies-votes-at-a-glance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6375104-f8e124c7d4ed08411439debeddcb5c06/orig.mp4?Expires=1776650357&Signature=E1-0jGBozopaJ10H3BfehEYGLxPU6OSgK2ERjqgq33zkuMWlCIWrucHcwGOQHucxa4qHVBWUuCHp1kc7UTdGmjw8OTQlSv67YGziuSGn3qBzs~3zhaSnt207uwRnMXsO~WriKd9JbLSOm-TFmoGiyKQdA8bGMLfL~JVhTqlBFtyCZBPIDvWbsdho7TT9TL7eNsbPiWcsw1LTjQo7kuIe4Jxekvnk8v2m7hN4Q0rl9~JbZtqm0SF-bLH-rTEgS~n-c08it8o0p-ancX4dINruNeyJrJHuF6JBNtLlvMnAwDSVMdjaxUhVHJM7SXcy7FU9ykr3xmkGGrlm6~-kgrktCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bellefonte, PA","date","2025-01-23T16:48:47.927Z","article","Bellefonte Borough Council conducted several routine and administrative votes during its Jan. 20 business meeting, swearing in a junior councilperson and approving operational items including a sewage-enforcement services contract, event-date permissions, a fee schedule update and a trial revision to the council’s public-comment procedure.

Key actions (summary):
- Junior council appointment: Council voted to approve Jaylen Mackley as a Bellefonte Borough junior council member; the mayor then administered the oath. Roll call recorded all members present voting yes. Counsel noted junior members do not vote or attend executive sessions.
- Sewage enforcement officer (SEO) services: Council approved a proposal for Center Region Code to provide required SEO services while the position is vacant; roll call vote recorded approval by council.
- Community event dates and parking: Council approved dates for the borough community yard sale (May 16–17), bulk waste pickup (May 19–23), Halloween trick-or-treating hours (currently listed as Oct. 31, 6–8 p.m.) and a two-hour courtesy parking program for the holiday shopping period (Nov. 28–Jan. 1). Council asked staff to clarify that Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are free-parking days.
- Public comment policy (trial): Council approved a draft resolution (01212025-01) to trial a new order for public comment around motions. Under the trial, the order on action items will be public comment, then council comment (including proposed amendments); if amendments are proposed, the public may comment on the amendment before a final vote. The resolution was approved after roll call; several members spoke both for and against the change during discussion.
- Fee schedule: Council approved an updated borough fee schedule, with specific changes to water, sewer and refuse line items (meter and MXU fees among others).

Votes at a glance (motions, mover/second and roll-call outcomes as recorded):
1) Motion to approve Jaylen Mackley as junior borough council member — Mover: unspecified; Second: unspecified. Roll-call: Mister Bernier (yes), Mister Brackwell (yes), Miss Clayton (yes), Miss Dan (yes), Mayor Johnson (yes), Miss McKean (yes), Miss Purnell (yes), Miss Sedgwick (yes), Miss Tostavasi (yes). Outcome: approved and oath administered.
2) Motion to approve Center Region Code SEO proposal — Mover: unspecified; Second: Akeem (second recorded). Roll-call: unanimous yes recorded. Outcome: approved.
3) Motion to approve community yard sale, bulk pickup, Halloween hours and holiday courtesy parking — Mover: Mayor Johnson; Second: Mister Brackwell. Roll-call: unanimous yes recorded. Outcome: approved; staff to clarify holiday free-parking days.
4) Motion to adopt draft resolution 01212025-01 (public comment procedure, trial basis) — Mover: Deb (maker); Second: (unnamed). Roll-call: motion passed after votes (several nay votes recorded during roll call; final tally: majority yes). Outcome: approved on a trial basis.
5) Motion to approve updated fee schedule — Mover: Deb; Second: Mayor Johnson. Roll-call: unanimous yes recorded. Outcome: approved.
6) Consent agenda (financial report and solicitor invoice approved; minutes held for separate handling) — approved by roll call.

Why it matters: The votes implement several near-term administrative changes that affect borough operations, public engagement and billing procedures. The public-comment policy change is explicitly on a trial basis and will be revisited as council evaluates its impact.

Ending: Council adjourned with an announced executive session to follow; no further public action was taken.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bellefonte Borough Council Work Session and Meeting 01/21/25 | C-NET Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","At its Jan. 20 meeting, Bellefonte Borough Council sworn in a junior council member and approved appointments and administrative changes including a sewage-enforcement appointment, a fee schedule update, community-event dates and a trial public-comment policy; roll-call votes were recorded for each action.","taxTitle","Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania","taxId",71915,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6375108,"Local groups preview Bellefonte events for 2025, from Easter egg hunt to Civil War weekend",1604,60000,1664000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2142421-8dc9edf4167747f6c34bb57fa519166b&start=60&end=1664","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2142421-8dc9edf4167747f6c34bb57fa519166b/thumbnail_60000.jpg","/articles/6375108/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/Local-groups-preview-Bellefonte-events-for-2025-from-Easter-egg-hunt-to-Civil-War-weekend","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6375108-4bea28f6519dbbfc32339d29e2de8c65/orig.mp4?Expires=1776650357&Signature=ozYG96NjbnWB33Xn7RcZ-1y53ypLICDK9byP0cpJLXjfiS3gBCi~lroLeyvGLnFjmzqLzZj8XWJkqxtFr5C8TxLPzKJB0GI98r8ZltVs65WLuBMgFb0Ur29FROcQ~Fa2bWiAKqUht2qEOrv-tW8DKL3zvzGZGhTkVLcEOLnMP1xbmqRnpgcgwU90n7DnIV~GKQfe7zYk3SaQB99VNemUDEf0-sMXEjrwZjnlxu4bLC374VB63AHNZAETd3L3hTjSjWVwEeQLnJjtJmFjN8teEsssIOJhqBrT7i9WgMaTAwZDVsOpxaQSFzenrwDucRLr6mckvAGKRHM9qH8baw9cbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of several Bellefonte community organizations briefed the borough during the work session about planned public events for 2025 and ongoing organizational transitions.

Pat McCool, serving as acting president of HBI, listed a schedule of family- and holiday-focused events including an April Easter egg hunt (April 19), a June cruise (June 13–14), an Arts & Crafts fair (Aug. 1–2), an Oct. 25 Halloween parade, Santa House (Nov. 29–Dec. 21) and Victorian Christmas (Dec. 12–14). “It will definitely happen,” McCool said of the arts-and-crafts event; HBI is still finalizing chairs and task assignments.

Joseph Griffin, president of the Bellefonte Historic and Cultural Association (BHCA), summarized a broader slate of cultural programming and an organizational reset. Griffin said BHCA recruited about 40 members, restructured bylaws, created committees and won a $12,500 grant from the Happy Valley Venture Bureau to pilot new programs including a busker series and other cultural events. “What we're really trying to do is to bring music into the streets of Bellefonte,” Griffin said. He also outlined plans for a multi-part Civil War Weekend scheduled for June 6–8 that will include talks at the American Philatelic Society, an encampment, author talks, a possible reenactment band and living-history demonstrations.

A chamber representative reported that the chamber board is reorganizing and seeking a president and vice president; the chamber’s recent Blues Breaker event drew about 25 attendees amid cold weather. The representative said the chamber is rebuilding membership and will consider rehiring staff once revenue stabilizes.

Why it matters: the series of events contribute to downtown foot traffic and the borough’s cultural profile; BHCA said some events could produce economic impact if they attract visitors from outside the region.

Additional notes:
- BHCA said some signature ideas, such as a barbershop quartet competition and a proposed Bellefonte Bicycle Day, are still exploratory; Griffin said the group would continue to consult county tourism partners.
- Griffin said some longstanding volunteers are of advanced age and that recruiting new board members was necessary to sustain programming.
- Council members offered operational suggestions (parking overflow agreements with nearby landowners for the cruise, coordinating event permits with public works) and thanked volunteers.

Ending: Organization leaders said they will follow up with borough staff on permits, parking, advertising and coordination; BHCA plans to work with Happy Valley on promotion.","Representatives of HBI, BHCA and the chamber told council about planned community events including an April Easter egg hunt, summer car cruise, a revived arts-and-crafts show and an extensive Civil War Weekend set for June 6–8; BHCA said it won a $12,500 grant to fund new programs and is recruiting younger board members.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6375112,"County to change real estate tax bill to perforated mailer; borough urged to preview before March 1 mailing",430,3644000,4074000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2142421-8dc9edf4167747f6c34bb57fa519166b&start=3644&end=4074","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2142421-8dc9edf4167747f6c34bb57fa519166b/thumbnail_3644000.jpg","/articles/6375112/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/County-to-change-real-estate-tax-bill-to-perforated-mailer-borough-urged-to-preview-before-March-1-mailing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6375112-d3a0c34434d1ff2e40e1be9461fea9ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1776650357&Signature=DIt13TsR-6-Z2WrRXC-QpA21lTz51BHBDLrt3eVBVmbZn8MYyeh2QR3pbmA32c22ifp7XvmducqYWlnZjKHz5q2zJe2It8CcyWALcBlBZKLE7jSP8gxmSO29LMcdKpDvVY0sNMEqX434uY~nYeeG~edIErVj3T8jVd4sEVMeF-VNuqKc2GRUxlk2cVr1BuUJY44FfMD4XhQhwEv7N1IXDpQgn96IUfAylnDH8ylSL4u18y8TWdbeG~eMydFssEH3vLn4V9TaKauDcCXWwM2CUi-cX~IiInF23pCSzgqWEAqMKe8YovXYGSXQKMJ4-hEtG1Ys6Fk5Sn4RXFd3YH9WQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Centre County’s Tax Claim and Collections Office displayed a new perforated, self-sealing real estate tax bill design and told Bellefonte Borough Council how the change will affect taxpayers and tax collectors.

Jennifer Patina, tax claims and collections director, said the mailer will separate into a taxpayer copy, a tax collector’s copy (for scanning or remittance processing) and a lower section with property details. “The upper portion … is a tax payer copy of the real estate tax bill that you will keep for your records,” Patina said, describing the new three-part layout. She advised taxpayers to include a self-addressed stamped envelope if they want a dated receipt returned.

Why it matters: the new format alters how taxpayers receive and return bills and may produce two county and municipal mailings in some cases, depending on whether a municipality continues with its existing vendor. Council members asked whether prior payment-plan arrangements remain available; Patina said installment plans are typically a school-district option and that tax-collector office hours and in-person payments remain available.

Key points from the presentation:
- The new mailer will include millage and disbursement information, payment windows (2% discount period March 1–April 30 was cited), and property assessment details.
- If a municipality or its tax collector does not switch to the county’s new vendor, some taxpayers could receive two separate real estate tax bills for the same parcel.
- Patina said the county chose a more technical platform that supports optional credit-card payments for tax collectors who opt in. The county’s vendor is in Pennsylvania, she said.
- The county must have bills out on or before March 1; Patina said they will be mailed by that date.

Council action and follow-up: residents in the meeting urged that the borough newsletter include a sample of the new mailer before March 1 so taxpayers know how to identify and return the bill. Patina provided the county office phone number for further questions.

Ending: Council members asked the borough office to publicize the new format and to advise residents about potential duplicate mailings if their tax collector keeps the previous vendor.","Centre County Tax Claim & Collections Director Jennifer Patina showed a sample perforated, self-sealing real estate tax mailer and answered town questions about payment options, timing and vendor changes; officials urged the borough to publicize the new format before the March 1 payment deadline.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6375118,"Bellefonte authority outlines early steps to explore production wells in Talleyrand Park extension",452,4768000,5220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2142421-8dc9edf4167747f6c34bb57fa519166b&start=4768&end=5220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2142421-8dc9edf4167747f6c34bb57fa519166b/thumbnail_4768000.jpg","/articles/6375118/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/Bellefonte-authority-outlines-early-steps-to-explore-production-wells-in-Talleyrand-Park-extension","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6375118-f043b6dc45c63d7657ff328c35f7003f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776650357&Signature=IsNFyAKQSyNnxeAtzDSeMHCRT0aUSyDztQVS4yC7o2writoGQ8wHEJYztmSATAi6hwCF5tplIVfmT-GQhWlsaJ387uoZ72Ta8-erkC4skhq5TXfadyNVML8pnQRaJNtszA~n7MsMX1-Q77EDWKd1kzlCHQ2KSK6KQyQAPelQldDiKF4AQVZ4sgm3QLm2tobnkk2DlWniER1epXOoLJ-14jxUxKpygInlBW1eRAkxIGXxd8J4h7-m1cshjzJsUqEsHp7RgcYxR5NhSaVrS~Aad7AvjoclRv6JcExX2DKhEU~CCvudSYhvhNExJHEdfSzcCzDdk5~Qv0eaHD~Sa9xJoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bellefonte officials and the borough water authority described preliminary, grant-funded work to locate potential production wells in the Talleyrand Park expansion area and answered council questions about public access and costs.

The authority said the work so far maps underground water flow; no wells have been drilled. “We just all really, the only thing that was done so far … is to see where the water flows underground,” an authority representative told council. The representative added that the next step would be determining bedrock depth to inform well siting and avoid drawing contaminants.

Why it matters: the authority is evaluating whether new production wells could secure local water supplies but noted the work is early and will require additional technical steps and coordination with regulators. Council members asked how wells would affect parking, the band shell and public access to the Big Spring area. The authority said it expects wellheads to be capped or covered and that the parking lot should remain accessible, but the exact footprint depends on bedrock depth and any setbacks required by the Department of Environmental Protection.

Details from the meeting:
- The authority presented a diagram showing underground flow lines and candidate locations; authority members said likely sites cluster near the Big Spring, behind the snow-cone building and near the Corning pump house. No firm siting decisions have been made.
- Authority staff said test wells and bedrock surveys are being considered; engineers are advising whether to conduct test wells before or after consultation with DEP.
- Funding: officials said the work to date is being paid from a state grant and that the project remains within the grant budget.
- Setbacks and safety: council members were reminded that wells typically require setbacks (authority staff cited about 100 feet as a commonly used setback) to avoid drawing contaminants from nearby sewer lines or roads; whether DEP would accept any variance is an open question.

Council members emphasized that the authority should keep recreational stakeholders updated. “We have kept the stage committee informed every step of the way,” a council member said, noting the bandshell/stage group has participated in prior briefings.

No formal council action was taken; staff said the authority will continue engineering studies and regulatory outreach.

Ending: Authority representatives said they will return with test-well results or further engineering data before any construction or permanent changes to park access are proposed.","An authority presenting to Bellefonte Borough Council described early, grant-funded work on underground flow mapping and site-selection for potential production wells in the Talleyrand Park extension; officials said no wells have been drilled and public access is expected to remain but some wellheads would be covered if built.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bellefonte council swears in junior councilmember, approves staff appointments and updates policies; votes at a glance

Local groups preview Bellefonte events for 2025, from Easter egg hunt to Civil War weekend

County to change real estate tax bill to perforated mailer; borough urged to preview before March 1 mailing

Bellefonte authority outlines early steps to explore production wells in Talleyrand Park extension