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

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.