Latest News from the Borough

The Bellefonte Borough Planning Commission is an advisory or recommending body to the Borough Council. It consists of five members, each appointed by Council for a four-year term. The Commission works closely with the Zoning Administrator. The Planning Commission meets the second Monday of the month, normally at 5 p.m. It considers planning issues such as rezoning requests, transportation, environmental impact, water and sewage issues. This body also reviews all land development and subdivision plans submitted to the Borough and forwards an advisory opinion to the Borough Council. Reviews are performed to determine compliance with Borough zoning and subdivision regulations as well as with state regulations. The Commission then makes a recommendation to the Council for their ruling on the issue in question.

There is currently a vacancy on the Planning Commission.  The term expires on December 31, 2021. If you are interested, and you are a Borough resident, please fill out a Volunteer Application and return it to the Borough by Thursday, August 29, 2019. Council will review all applications and an appointment will be made at the September 3, 2019, Council meeting.

In the 2009 International Fire Code (Section 302.1) recreational fires are defined as “an outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, portable outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill or barbeque pit and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes.”

This type of fire must be at least 25 feet away from a structure or combustible materials and must not at any point move any closer to the structure than the stated 25 foot distance.

Outdoor fires in a permanent fixture (such as BBQs and gas-fueled fire pits, chimineas) must be at least 10 feet away from a structure or combustible materials. Portable, manufactured outdoor fireplaces must be at least 15 feet away from a structure or combustible materials except for 1- and 2-family dwellings.

For more information, go to ftp://law.resource.org/pub/us/code/ibr/icc.ifc.2009.pdf

Bellefonte Borough Council will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed amendment to Chapter 35: Fire Department, at their regular meeting on Monday, August 19, 2019, at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, 236 W. Lamb Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823. A complete copy of the proposed changes can be viewed in the Borough office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by clicking here.

Ralph Stewart
Borough Manager/Secretary

The Bellefonte Borough Housing Appeals Board consists of five members with each member serving a five-year term. It considers appeals regarding the requirements, determinations, and decisions made by the Borough’s inspectors in their enforcement of Chapter 425 of the Property Maintenance and Safety Code ordinance in instances where literal application of the code would result in exceptional practical difficulty.

There is currently a vacancy on the Housing Appeals Board.  The term expires on December 31, 2019. If you are interested, and you are a Borough resident, please fill out a Volunteer Application and return it to the Borough by Thursday, August 15, 2019. Council will review all applications and an appointment will be made at the August 19, 2019, Council meeting.

Bellefonte Borough Civil Service Commission will be conducting a test to prepare an eligibility list for the position of full-time Police Officer. Candidates must have current ACT 120 training, possess a valid PA Driver’s License, be at least 21 years of age, and be able to pass a written exam and background check.

Those interested may pick up the application form at the Bellefonte Borough Police Department, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. There will be a non-refundable application fee of $25 that must be submitted with the application by Tuesday, August 6, 2019.

The written test will be administered on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, at 6:00 p.m.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of nearly 400 people per year drown in swimming pools and spas. 80 percent of those deaths could be avoided by having the proper safety equipment and guards in place. And according to the Center for Disease Control, for every child in the US who drowns, five more children receive emergency care for swimming-related injuries – a large portion of which occur at residential pools and spas.

The Centre Region Code Administration kindly reminds everyone that a Code permit is required by the Uniform Construction Code of PA for the installation of any pool or spa that is capable of holding 24-inches or more of water. Please note that your local municipality may also require a permit for pools/spas of a lesser depth.

Please contact the Centre Region Code Administration with any questions: (814) 231-3056.

The Borough of Bellefonte will receive proposals for the Wayfinding Signage Project in accordance with proposal documents.

Project consists of the development of a graphic identity system for but not limited to: letterhead, envelopes, and business cards, utility vehicles and a graphic system for a directional wayfinding signage.

Interested firms may obtain the proposal documents at the Bellefonte Borough Municipal Office located at 236 West Lamb Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823 anytime M-F from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.  Proposal documents may also be downloaded here.

Sealed proposals will be accepted until 4:00 PM local prevailing time on Monday, August 5, 2019 at the Borough of Bellefonte Municipal Building Offices, 236 W. Lamb Street, Bellefonte, PA  16823.  Proposals will be opened and read publicly by Borough of Bellefonte Council during the Council’s regular meeting on August 5, 2019.

The Borough of Bellefonte, through its duly authorized and constituted officials, reserves its rights to reject any or all proposals, to accept or reject any portions thereof, and to waive any informalities, technicalities, irregularities, or defects in the proposals.

Bellefonte Borough Authority is requesting proposals for professional Engineering services. The purpose is to solicit proposals that will allow the Authority to select the most qualified firm that can provide services for the Big Spring Cover project.  At a minimum, the firm shall be able to provide or have demonstrated experience in the following:  PA DEP Safe Drinking Water regulations and permitting experience, architectural design, structural engineering, mechanical engineering, specifications, drawings.  The firm will assist the Authority in the bidding of, and contracting for, the installation of a specialized cover over Bellefonte’s Big Spring. Complete proposal details may be obtained by contacting Ralph W. Stewart, Borough Manager at [email protected] or 814.355.1501.   Proposal details are also available by clicking here. There will be a preliminary on-site meeting at the Big Spring to review existing conditions for firms intending to submit a proposal.  Attendance is not mandatory, but highly encouraged. This meeting is scheduled for 10:30 am, August 14^th, 2019.  Proposals will be accepted until 4:00 PM, prevailing time, August 28^th, 2019. Proposals shall be clearly marked on the outside, “Big Spring Cover – Engineering Services Proposal,” and submitted to ATTN: Ralph Stewart, Bellefonte Borough Authority, 236 West Lamb Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823.  Proposals that are faxed or e-mailed cannot be accepted.

Ms. Catrina Armstrong appeared before Council to speak to them on behalf of Hope’s Dream Rescue and Sanctuary. She thanked the Borough and the Mayor for their support of their program and their trap, neuter, and return (TNR) efforts in the Borough. They have been altering the stray cats to assist in the feline over population.

[email protected] is an email contact in case anyone would like to contact them. You may also reach them through www.facebook.com/hopesdreamrescue. They will continue to work on the TNR as funding allows and as awareness is made of cat populations that are in need.