[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6353553,"mediaKeyId","2221197-0bdec22481fd88e2cbff451a4c127224","parentId",2221197,"title","Bellefonte council approves code and policy updates, tables Shade Tree appointment pending legal review","audioSeconds",74,"startMs",5368000,"endMs",5442000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221197-0bdec22481fd88e2cbff451a4c127224&start=5368&end=5442","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221197-0bdec22481fd88e2cbff451a4c127224/thumbnail_5368000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6353553/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/Bellefonte-council-approves-code-and-policy-updates-tables-Shade-Tree-appointment-pending-legal-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353553-ed55d892afaa3f604a8b5106040cd7f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775572654&Signature=cXnXBxd1HmdjmwK3qXD1rJIwcQEjx4-i6pp~WXY-1hLLjFlZjX3LQfrD0oejQeyR1rf8rqwxL1jWhwKNY808pVyKtiFiJ3mH8igBsm6WYXKSrSLOyTEuJk8r40yET32cOans~lkZjVHLi35nU6Xn0R~6GYIOGftwwmUXai7zdIgmXLoHL4gWuxdlvMYLN4q8pLzlWqUCm8yEtSmunrBOYg4HZ1vCrLiVRWSdi536yOHh-0NbCNCwAHYmChegY5VJIZGIKVk0AxVyedMaCScmPLpYLI7st2YecdDhQ9k96rVFmjs7EZ7v0xJx52HK6c5bLBzskwHSdfY-Mtm9nWD17g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bellefonte, PA","date","2025-02-04T13:10:07Z","article","Bellefonte Borough Council approved several municipal code and policy changes at its Feb. 3 business meeting and tabled one volunteer appointment pending legal review.

Council voted by roll call to move a signs provision (Article 21) out of borough zoning into a separate chapter of the borough code. Councilors said the change is intended to clarify sign regulations by placing them in a standalone chapter. The motion passed by roll call vote.

Council also approved Ordinance No. 02032025, an amendment to Chapter 530 (Vehicle and Traffic) that adds green curb‑line designation for electric‑vehicle charging spaces. The change was described as a simple addition to the traffic code to clarify that green lines indicate electric‑vehicle parking and charging. Council adopted the ordinance by roll call vote.

In other business, council approved the Civil Service Commission’s revised rules and regulations and separately approved Resolution 02032025‑1, adopting a use‑of‑force policy supplied by the borough police. Councilors were asked to review the documents before voting; both measures passed by roll call vote.

The council tabled an appointment to the Shade Tree Commission. A council member moved to delay the appointment so the borough solicitor could review whether the volunteer’s status as a borough employee creates a conflict of interest; council voted to table the appointment until the next meeting.

Consent agenda items, including amended minutes requested by a councilor, were approved by roll call vote earlier in the meeting. The council also discussed committee assignments and scheduling for subcommittees, and heard communications from local groups including the Chamber, BHCA and HBI about upcoming events and outreach.

Votes at a glance

- Move sign rules (Article 21) out of zoning into its own chapter — approved by roll call vote (unanimous). Context: to reorganize sign regulations into a standalone code chapter.

- Ordinance No. 02032025 (amend Chapter 530, Vehicle and Traffic) — approved by roll call vote (unanimous). Context: adds green curb‑line designation for electric‑vehicle charging spaces.

- Civil Service Commission rules and regulations (revisions) — approved by roll call vote (unanimous). Context: revisions presented and approved; council asked members to review prior to vote.

- Resolution 02032025‑1 (use‑of‑force policy) — approved by roll call vote (unanimous). Context: adopts updated policy for the borough police department.

- Shade Tree Commission volunteer appointment (Jason Ostroski) — tabled for solicitor review because volunteer appears to be a borough employee; motion to table approved by roll call vote.

Council members and staff declined to take additional formal action on Missoula Park lighting at the meeting and directed staff to return with cost estimates and police input before any further vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bellefonte Borough Council Work Session and Meeting 02/03/25 | C-NET Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","At its business meeting council approved moving sign rules to a separate code chapter, amended vehicle and traffic code to add green EV lane markings, adopted Civil Service Commission rules and a use‑of‑force resolution, and tabled a Shade Tree volunteer appointment to obtain a solicitor opinion.","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},6353558,"Bellefonte council weighs lighting changes at Missoula Park; staff to cost solar/pole options",4210,487000,4697000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221197-0bdec22481fd88e2cbff451a4c127224&start=487&end=4697","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221197-0bdec22481fd88e2cbff451a4c127224/thumbnail_487000.jpg","/articles/6353558/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/Bellefonte-council-weighs-lighting-changes-at-Missoula-Park-staff-to-cost-solarpole-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353558-a126abf76a11acf505d159e3f2fdc19a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775572654&Signature=WlCkabFaHdS28BSnTraop0DSfNUOteIpdiyPdNBD9yWbyiQo4QI-eILGP24sKsiY4EgPUSsHgm-~KYlqsyHhBHppsh0oM-VTZoHDwgg1Nc-1KGu37Ez5fVZg9NZUBEzBFM6MXm9rL8DFEPbU36SkHUfJ3yBJjTv1rITh238xp0J3n3RQ0DSSkyR5o9obuqqPYlqCc59txCHbu-zg-zieDb-HiKsDizND5a5RJww7s3BRqbvu~P6b~DtQJBzNZeynOOe26QEEWoBRURMoUJLO1s-AQRyTtfJKFsT-gyPDVE~LTvEoA9MyZ9Ty4xhuOfawJ7Ut95PitMDoOyVBwUmtBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bellefonte Borough staff and councilors spent the work session reviewing complaints and options for lighting at Missoula Park and asked staff to return with cost estimates for alternatives, including solar fixtures and new poles.

Council members heard that the current fixture is a 400‑watt floodlight provided as a courtesy by West Penn Power and that it cannot be shielded or fitted with alternate bulbs. “There’s really not too many options with that light. It’s a 400 watt floodlight,” Matt Almond, a borough staff member who presented the item, said. He told council the fixture was turned toward the park interior after complaints but that the borough had few immediate technical options through West Penn Power.

The discussion matters because residents raised concerns about light spill and aesthetics, while others said lighting affects safety and use of the park. Almond said an engineer estimate to place a new light in the middle of the park — which would require installing a transformer or running new primary line — was about $5,500–$5,600. He also said West Penn Power does not allow borough‑installed solar fixtures on its poles; installing solar would likely require the borough to set its own poles and pay additional upfront costs. Almond offered to research the cost of installing borough poles with solar LED fixtures and to report back to council.

Councilors and residents described a short 2024 pilot of the light that drew two complaints and noted the light was reinstalled in December. A Reynolds Avenue resident who spoke in the meeting said she had seen minimal after‑dark use of the park but objected to the current light and urged either removal or a more appropriate park lighting plan. “I don’t even agree that the park should even be open 24 hours,” the resident said, arguing that posted hours and a closed‑at‑dusk policy would be a low‑cost alternative. Another resident urged the borough to pursue lighting that matches the town’s installed park fixtures — underground wiring and capped poles that produce pools of light — even if that option costs more upfront.

Technical constraints were a major thread in the discussion. Almond said several existing lines across the park are high‑voltage transmission lines and cannot be tapped directly; running a new primary line from Reynolds Avenue or setting a transformer closer to the interior would drive costs. He also said West Penn Power’s standard street‑light offer is a cobra‑style fixture and they had no shielding or timer option available.

Councilors suggested additional steps before any formal decision: 1) get a written cost estimate for borough‑owned poles with solar LED fixtures; 2) confirm monthly costs for the current West Penn fixture (Almond estimated about $40 per month); and 3) consult Chief Wettmer of the Bellefonte Police Department about whether removing or changing the light would affect public‑safety concerns raised earlier.

The work session produced no motion or vote to change the light. Council agreed to have Almond return with costed options and to consult the police chief. Almond said he would research estimates and present options at a future meeting.

The discussion began during the council work session and concluded with direction to staff to develop cost options and follow up with the council.","At a council work session, residents and councilors discussed a 400‑watt floodlight at Missoula Park and asked staff to return with costed options, including solar lighting and additional poles; no formal action was taken.","actionData","errors"]

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Bellefonte council approves code and policy updates, tables Shade Tree appointment pending legal review

Bellefonte council weighs lighting changes at Missoula Park; staff to cost solar/pole options