Council adopts change to employment reference‑check policy; criminal and credit checks added after offer acceptance

Bellefonte Borough Council approved a recommended modification to Employee Policy 210 to formalize reference and background checks for prospective hires. Staff said the checks would only be performed after a candidate accepts an offer and provides written permission; the checks would include criminal records through existing law‑enforcement channels and a credit check for positions where financial responsibility is a factor. Chief Whitmer described the criminal background check process in the meeting, saying he checks criminal history through NCIC and local jurisdictions; the chief said the borough could perform checks at minimal cost (he noted an $8 charge for criminal checks routed through employment‑records checks). Staff said credit checks and other levels of screening may incur variable fees depending on vendor and depth of check. Council members raised questions about who will have access to confidential files; staff said three administrative employees currently have secured access to personnel files: the billing administrator, the administrative assistant to the borough manager, and the borough manager. Council asked for assurances that the files are locked and access controlled; staff said the files are in a locked cabinet and access is limited to those employees. Staff said clearances that are required for working with children or other specialized positions would be handled as appropriate when duties warrant. Council approved the policy change by roll call and staff said it would go into effect upon approval.