Latest News from 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.

Charming. Beautiful. Unique. All words used to describe Talleyrand Park. Talleyrand is one of the region’s most visited parks and covers 3.5 acres. Founded in 1974, the all volunteer Talleyrand Park Committee continues to improve and maintain the park, collaborating with the Borough of Bellefonte and the Bellefonte Garden Club, while focusing on Bellefonte’s Victorian heritage and cultural richness.

Purchasing an engraved brick will help support the Talleyrand Park Committee’s ongoing improvements. Your brick—personalized with the name and message selected for yourself or loved one—will be part of Talleyrand’s ongoing history.

• Create a permanent place in the community for yourself, your children or grandchildren
• Promote your business and show community support
• Memorialize a lost loved one
• Honor a soldier or service person

Funds raised during this event will be used to support future improvements to Talleyrand Park. Bricks to be installed near waterfall viewing area, behind the gazebo. Click here for an order form.

The 2019 Centre County West Nile Virus Surveillance and Control season began on April 16.

Bellefonte Borough residents can assist the 2019 County program by eliminating sources of standing water such as unused swimming pools, stagnant ornamental ponds, poorly functioning roof gutters, and especially used tires. If it is feasible, poorly functioning storm water systems should be cleaned out to eliminate standing water. If you are aware of wet areas that are breeding large amounts of mosquitoes, you are asked to contact the County Planning & Community Development Office so samples can be trapped for identification and testing.

Additionally, the County Planning & Community Development Office is responsible for collecting and submitting dead birds for WNV testing. If you have questions concerning dead birds and West Nile Virus, please contact them at 814-355-6791. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) this year is limiting testing to crows, blue jays, hawks, and owls. PADEP will begin accepting dead birds for testing on May 1, 2019.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health website (www.westnile.state.pa.us) contains more information, as well as up-to-date local and statewide surveillance results during the mosquito season.

Please be advised that the deadline to renew the current Hometown Hero banners has passed. If you have not renewed, you will be presented with your banner on November 11th prior to the Veterans Day Services beginning at 10 a.m.

 

The Bellefonte Hometown Hero Banner Committee is proud to offer their third round of honoring our heroes including an exciting new program for first responders. To learn more about this, please review the applications below. Please pay close attention to the deadline dates and the proper applications.

Hometown Hero Banner Application–Veteran       Deadline:  July 31, 2019

Hometown Hero Banner Application–First Responder       Deadline:  April 30, 2020

 

Miscellaneous Plastic Recycling Container Moved in Bellefonte from the Burger King to the CVS

If you recycle miscellaneous plastic in Bellefonte, you may have noticed the container at the Burger King is no longer there.  It, along with the other recycling containers that were previously there, have been moved to the CVS parking lot in Bellefonte.  Click here for a list of all 6 miscellaneous plastic recycling locations and acceptable/unacceptable items.

“Happy New Year from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the ReadyPA Team.  As we enter January, we would like to stress the importance of safe driving over the winter months.  The January 2019 ReadyPA Monthly provides some winter driving tips and safe driving practices to help you navigate Pennsylvania roadways.

Did you know that although your pets are covered in fur, many just aren’t equipped to be out in frigid temperatures for prolonged periods?  This issue of the ReadyPA Monthly provides suggestions to help your animals stay healthy throughout the winter.

Finally, the State Meteorologist has provided information on the “chilling dangers of cold weather.”

The January Action Sheet contains information provided by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.  Be sure to practice these “10 musts for winter driving.”

We encourage you to share this newsletter and action sheet. Both the ReadyPA Monthly and the Action Sheet are available at www.Ready.PA.gov or you can view it by clicking on ReadyPA Monthly January 2019.”

Below is a listing of Bellefonte Borough “ABC” vacancies. If interested in any of these vacancies, click here to obtain a volunteer application.

Historical and Architectural Review Board (HARB):

The purpose of the HARB is to offer advice and counsel to Bellefonte Borough Council concerning the erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing of all or any part of a building or structure located within the boundaries of the Historical and Architectural Review Board District and visible from a public right-of-way. For this purpose, the Historical and Architectural Review Board may make and alter rules and regulations for its own organization and procedure.

The HARB shall be composed of seven members and at least one alternate member, recommended by the HARB, and approved by Council. Of the seven members, one shall be a registered architect, one a licensed real estate broker, one the Borough building official, one a business person whose principal place of business is located within the HARB-regulated historic district, and three additional persons with a knowledge of and interest in historic preservation.

The HARB’s regularly scheduled meetings shall be held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month unless circumstances warrant a postponement.

For more information, a copy of the HARB’s By-Laws can be found here

There is currently one vacancy on this Board (preferably someone with architectural or historical preservation experience), with the term expiring on 12/31/2023. 

Civil Service Commission

The Civil Service Commission is a three member Commission with each member serving a six-year term.  The Commission is designed to oversee the hiring and promotional process related to full-time police officers.  Residency is required.  Candidates for these positions must go through a civil service process where written and oral exams are given and scored.  The Commission presents a list of eligible candidates to Council for their consideration.  The Commission must meet the first Monday of the even-numbered new year to re-organize.  Other meeting times are on an as-needed basis.

There is currently one alternate vacancy on this Commission.

Comcast has undergone a significant transformation over the past several years to improve their customer experience. Click here to review some examples of the recent changes.