[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6122459,"mediaKeyId","2694834-18c1d86f21550033589375cf9c42bef5","parentId",2694834,"title","Votes at a glance: Bellefonte council approves routine business, committee referrals and personnel action","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2003000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694834-18c1d86f21550033589375cf9c42bef5&start=2003&end=2003","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694834-18c1d86f21550033589375cf9c42bef5/thumbnail_2003000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6122459/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-Bellefonte-council-approves-routine-business-committee-referrals-and-personnel-action","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122459-d880108bce037e1d8696f24b2f441ea1/orig.mp4?Expires=1776650261&Signature=ONNgvs4OyIJDGccCSGTmiQBOtF8Egf666XNBkz4jGOPi6SkiRMSMICAanlC70VR~cgqXHdfHIRfHL6jAiIWcfihRNOBsKSY~RiOsD45awCJftPSZW0AC6oRo4BSg9Mh0ucwPtD7mNztT1W-Ct1GMH7Wf88SatCDwHL7QQTsCn-9J49N19~TVFXHVSJOYx88WHOyX8fobgOQrIIc1cLgsQZePOM~7cSzLG1Y-1OW3RSotg1aTIu4zNXbO1mhwyuYkH~BKhQFZSmdrjy3eoyA1i-fmE4gELxpFY6H879GNMMjLjE5h6Z14Nl~DIZrGdfGkxRN9DUPurnhbb8oTQjjVoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bellefonte, PA","date","2025-03-18T12:32:37Z","article","At the meeting the Bellefonte Borough Council approved several motions on routine business, committee referrals and personnel matters. The items below summarize motions taken and outcomes recorded during roll call votes.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: Approved. The council approved the consent agenda by roll call vote. (Provenance: consent agenda motion and roll call during the meeting.)

- Request for proposals (RFPs) for grant writing and administration services: Referred to the Finance and Administration Committee for review. Motion made by a council member and seconded; approved by roll call. (Provenance: RFPs due 03/14/2025; motion and vote on committee review reported in packet.)

- Surplus wooden desks: Approved for giveaway on a first‑come, first‑served basis, with certain desks reserved for the fire department. Motion and roll call carried. (Provenance: discussion and roll call on surplus desks.)

- PSAB legislative priorities: Council approved submitting resolutions and appointed Deb Cleeton as delegate and Doug Johnson as alternate for the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) annual conference voting. (Provenance: motion to submit resolutions and delegate appointment; roll call vote.)

- Acceptance of borough employee resignation/retirement (Ralph Stewart): Council accepted the resignation/retirement letter by roll call vote and offered thanks for service. (Provenance: retirement announcement and roll call vote.)

- Solicitor review of peddling and soliciting (do‑not‑disturb) ordinance: Approved. Council asked the borough solicitor to review the ordinance and return recommended language addressing busking and complying with court precedent on canvassing. (Provenance: solicitor's presentation and roll call vote.)

All votes listed above were carried on roll call during the meeting; the meeting transcript records affirmative responses from the assembled council for each item. If specific ordinance or resolution numbers are needed, the council packet should be consulted; the transcript recorded motions and roll calls but did not list ordinance numbers for these items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bellefonte Borough Council Work Session and Meeting 03/17/25 | C-NET Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved the consent agenda, referred RFP review to the finance committee, approved giving away surplus desks, authorized submission of PSAB resolutions and delegates, accepted a retirement letter, and asked the solicitor to review the peddling ordinance.","taxTitle","Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania","taxId",71915,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6122464,"Council hears Walnut Grove PFAS concerns; borough testing near airport reported negative",306,2618000,2924000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694834-18c1d86f21550033589375cf9c42bef5&start=2618&end=2924","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694834-18c1d86f21550033589375cf9c42bef5/thumbnail_2618000.jpg","/articles/6122464/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/Council-hears-Walnut-Grove-PFAS-concerns-borough-testing-near-airport-reported-negative","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122464-0c7723776b1ab30fd19f65e7347dfbb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776650261&Signature=lNtvqcLvoyqy~ngdcFfcYo6~LvVmccNlZzrXEEK5CmgycmVSFlcZ~FDIC~DEJFDP74A4AF6LjUxOpeP6SKwv3T-XcjS1kkWSCnjwVE3jWPcMcQzxS5HR3OtKjZyENrsn0mpFeKuKhmfR9YorEQjm9b9Vedf8QPFhy-JIrDyFVxlqf1XMISsKJrx~42TJlUxk7WC7z7jGT73vpKDplMZjRBrJSdDbCqzIQjoHlZgKiXwVqos9N-bALKQhEF8vIuzaJrQsc7xc10clGPoZTV5l-ulZ~eSFSamZtTAYkJz1QzOwu9LoLBrR4NQPmlkCDBc478BakwIOH1Mpt0Yo5AIVzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council member Rita raised concerns about possible groundwater contamination in Walnut Grove Estates in Benner Township and asked whether the plume might reach borough water supplies. Rita asked the council to invite an expert to explain the situation and potential impacts.

Council member Doug Johnson and borough staff said training use of PFAS‑containing firefighting foam at the airport had been required in the past and that runoff from that use reached nearby areas. Doug Johnson said the airport authority had conducted sampling and, to his knowledge, the borough authority’s tests around the airport had been negative. Borough staff and the borough manager recommended Penn State or DEP as technical sources for detailed hydrogeologic assessment.

Ralph Stewart, the borough manager, added that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is engaged and that a consent order with responsible parties is under review; he said communities covered by that process can expect remediation measures such as public water extensions or repairs as part of settlement actions.

Why it matters: PFAS contamination can affect drinking water systems and may require legal and engineering remedies; council members asked for more information and clarification from technical and regulatory agencies.","Council members discussed reported water pollution in Walnut Grove Estates linked to PFAS from airport training foam. Borough officials said authority testing near the airport has been negative and DEP is involved in a consent‑order process.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6122469,"Bellefonte opens compost site longer, schedules two weeks of curbside brush pickup after storm",108,989000,1097000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694834-18c1d86f21550033589375cf9c42bef5&start=989&end=1097","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694834-18c1d86f21550033589375cf9c42bef5/thumbnail_989000.jpg","/articles/6122469/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/Bellefonte-opens-compost-site-longer-schedules-two-weeks-of-curbside-brush-pickup-after-storm","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122469-88e441d875f0b1326284ca385cbbef38/orig.mp4?Expires=1776650261&Signature=a99IbqIrLGgiQZBSzs5liu-bM~a0~UOMvspp0WxmyNiTeZzGwX1UyPBfQLcLJA0b2r-Io6RichTXCndbbMxIcVKOyeK4jI7Fjc2-ZxNNgwMeUr4Dg7x9uqRkyZPXdDZSWNKux4FAdpQfqRvJ-JA5gyw6-KIT2TkeyyluYzk3rK~uDMNouA9bTkP1JHgo-9YsqtGb~iQFCDxV9sejZ~a5l8U0VwAO6OSseUoy9diGJMj4TRCD0GSBCQoW1pI~Em68irTehUh9opT10HYiU8XFE4bDLXFL0eZ4aXXNXPPyeOjmQ37QA6lHn6~S8YsIYqNmyESxGyXWzk7~iCzPEMXcjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ralph Stewart, the borough manager, told the Bellefonte Borough Council that the borough will open the Musser Lane compost facility daily through the week until 4 p.m. and extend Saturday hours to 8 a.m.–4 p.m. to assist residents with storm debris. Stewart also said borough crews will make curbside brush pickup rounds this week and next week to help residents who put storm‑damaged brush at the curb.

\"We'll pick up anybody's brush, put it out at the curb. We're just doing curbside pickup. This week and next week, we think we'll take care of it,\" Stewart said during the meeting. He asked residents to continue to use Musser Lane if they prefer to bring brush themselves.

Why it matters: Extended facility hours and curbside pickup aim to speed cleanup after the storm and reduce hazards from downed limbs and debris. Council members thanked public works, fire departments and 9‑1‑1 dispatchers for emergency response during the storm.","Following a major storm, the borough manager said the Musser Lane compost facility will be open extended hours and crews will conduct curbside brush pickup for about two weeks to help residents with storm debris.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6122474,"Council asks solicitor to review peddling and 'do not disturb' ordinance after free‑speech concerns",188,1775000,1963000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694834-18c1d86f21550033589375cf9c42bef5&start=1775&end=1963","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694834-18c1d86f21550033589375cf9c42bef5/thumbnail_1775000.jpg","/articles/6122474/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/Council-asks-solicitor-to-review-peddling-and-do-not-disturb-ordinance-after-freespeech-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122474-0530816c85f87b8a71a6bea064ccd977/orig.mp4?Expires=1776650261&Signature=Yn5wCQUGMURSlnG9GoxLznTgOZF0X18UPcxcGmXCwQ7xHc8bvaX4O9YdWA8HipxNJnWc2C9FiX2svOZsRsF56fnwPOEc7KlI-LZbt1RA6EMYwg~~n61nPk3scaOmmJACzIYdPiaRmnVpSCZCGqcwcsdfi3OqEKfJJWC21uFFW5ChY6o3BTi8DnBNbVAjIHaO6cK6Sl1iuwL2UhMLqzD7vjf1-D9AvaQt6Mq47HB6-JXrtqmupmg8Uk-c1xftRDaJiMG5j5mNq8WzpBOJCbRHGKw4TZHOr40EUZnlpAt08c7iqwq47dGqP0B6ZCi3iKaLP9Wo08wDcOGcArpBMdTpng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bellefonte Borough Council voted to ask the borough solicitor to review the town's peddling and soliciting (\"do not disturb\") ordinance and provide recommended changes. The motion passed on a roll call vote.

Borough solicitor (name not stated in the record) told council the ordinance needs updating to address street performance (busking) and to avoid running afoul of court precedent on canvassing and electioneering. The solicitor said they handed out a one‑page ACLU summary and noted U.S. Supreme Court and Third Circuit precedents that limit municipalities from requiring canvassers to get permits, give notice to police, or undergo criminal background checks. The solicitor said homeowners may still post do‑not‑solicit/do‑not‑canvas signs, which must be respected.

Council members directed the solicitor to draft recommended ordinance language that accounts for busking exceptions while complying with federal constitutional protections. The motion to have the solicitor review the ordinance was made and seconded and carried on a roll call vote; council asked for language options before the next meeting.","The borough solicitor identified gaps in Bellefonte's peddling and soliciting ordinance — including busking and restrictions on canvassing — and the council voted to have the solicitor return recommended updates.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6122479,"Property owner urges removing first‑floor commercial requirement; supports Victorian storefront overlay",376,2240000,2616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694834-18c1d86f21550033589375cf9c42bef5&start=2240&end=2616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694834-18c1d86f21550033589375cf9c42bef5/thumbnail_2240000.jpg","/articles/6122479/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/Property-owner-urges-removing-firstfloor-commercial-requirement-supports-Victorian-storefront-overlay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122479-1ad40235cdd2c969593edf9aeb027e61/orig.mp4?Expires=1776650261&Signature=a2YuyS1qcxmliR7abwiCVg~K251GXOQ1k0BvLPKevPEB7rjNbkHtUhH11V-BnwuMUtPyWqzGKrA6uGOwfuLdrKzEqbbrzgcv1Q~Hvy7PZry9qNq~gAJNpesgGLkfePeYiQ0Zj2Mjs2C3J7XbUnI2w2JUmMV6AJ3jPbgVKfquIkT4WOBRg0v3rdrSSnDPaWTuij1IE-etUccjb4P7kj6z-OBb6fIyTkH-pGYEa3sHGEdUNdiTajq5ykLdv4-~Rxqb4UrcQ3uxgbb-3avVGk9lJoyTSRVaG5~SeCXszXX-mCuxDyryIjoJAAZwzlMQSjqaew5LBbzcReL-uIzhS~YG6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Elliot Killian, a property owner at 111 East High Street, told the Bellefonte Borough Council that downtown has an oversupply of commercial space and urged the borough to remove the central business district requirement that ground floors be commercial. Killian said he counted roughly two dozen vacant or noncompliant storefronts and argued that neither higher local incomes nor tourism alone can sustain the current amount of retail.

\"Doing nothing means risking Bellefonte itself,\" Killian said, urging action and saying he submitted a report called the Victorian storefront overlay. The overlay proposal is intended as a compromise that would allow greater flexibility for first‑floor uses while preserving storefront character, according to materials in the council packet.

The Planning Commission is scheduled to continue discussion of the Victorian storefront overlay at a public meeting on Tuesday, March 18, the council noted. No council action on the overlay was scheduled at the borough council meeting.

Why it matters: Downtown zoning rules shape what uses are allowed at street level and can affect vacancy rates, property values and the character of the central business district. Council members indicated they will follow the Planning Commission’s review before taking action.","A property owner told the Bellefonte Borough Council downtown has too much vacant commercial space and urged removing the first‑floor commercial requirement or adopting a Victorian storefront overlay; the planning commission will continue review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Bellefonte council approves routine business, committee referrals and personnel action

Council hears Walnut Grove PFAS concerns; borough testing near airport reported negative

Bellefonte opens compost site longer, schedules two weeks of curbside brush pickup after storm

Council asks solicitor to review peddling and 'do not disturb' ordinance after free‑speech concerns

Property owner urges removing first‑floor commercial requirement; supports Victorian storefront overlay