Latest News from the Borough

The following authorities/boards/commissions (ABCs) have appointments whose terms will expire on December 31, 2019. If you are interested in applying for any of the upcoming vacancies, please complete a Volunteer Application and a resume and provide it to the Bellefonte Borough office, 236 W Lamb St, by November 15, 2019. For a description of the function of each of the ABCs below, please look at the Volunteer Application.

HARB (five-year term) (one vacancy–preferably someone with architectural or historic preservation experience)

Housing Appeals Board (five-year term) (two vacancies)

Zoning Hearing Board (three-year term) (one vacancy)

Please note that the date for Bellefonte Victorian Christmas is actually December 13 and December 14, 2019. The date provided to us for our Spring newsletter was incorrect.

Bellefonte Borough and The Centre Region Code invite you to join us for an information session on how to go about getting into the short-term rental game. One-hour sessions will be held at the Borough building on:

Friday, October 18 @ Noon
Wednesday, October 23 @ 6:30 PM
Saturday, October 26 @ 10:00 AM
Thursday, November 7 @ 10:00 AM

PRCC & EP-ACT along with host sponsors PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) held one in a series of Summer Electric Vehicle (EV’s) Workshops and Ride & Drive Events in Bellefonte on August 9 and 10.

For over 3 years a coalition of government, industry, utility, educational and non-profits have been convening to plan for EV adoption throughout the Commonwealth. The Drive Electric PA Initiative is a direct result of these meetings. This event was planned to help consumers, municipalities, businesses, and educational facilities with the adoption of EVs.

To view a video of this event, click here.

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.

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.

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.

An alternative to leaving your unwanted items out for Bulk Waste Collection is to donate to Habitat for Humanity ReStore. You can take household items to Habitat’s Bellefonte headquarters to keep them out of the landfill (or if your item(s) are on their list but are too large for you to deliver to them, please contact ReStore to schedule a free donation pick-up). Click here for a list of the detailed items they accept for donation.