Bellefonte boro council reorganizes | News, Sports, Jobs – The … – Lock Haven Express
<!–
BELLEFONTE — At the start of its first meeting in 2023, Bellefonte Borough Council followed through on agreements made in early 2022.
Council officers have agreed to rotate and reorganize on an annual basis.
Randy Brachbill has stepped down from his position as council president. Doug Johnson has moved from his role as vice-president to president and Kent Bernier has moved from pro tempore to vice-president.
Barbara Dann was nominated for pro tempore and voted in unanimously.
With these big council changes underway, the gavel was transferred from Mayor Buddy Johnson to new council president Doug Johnson.
Everyone melded into their new roles with relative ease, the entire council helping one another out with how to proceed throughout the meeting.
“I really appreciate that this council has instilled in me this term. I hope I can stand up to what your expectations are of me. Contact me at any time with any questions that you have. I’m really looking forward to getting some stuff done for our Borough residents in 2023. I think we have a fine executive team with Mr. Bernier, Ms. Dann, myself and with the Borough staff I think we’ll get a lot accomplished this year,” said Johnson.
Along with changes directly to council, appointments and reappointments were discussed:
— Doug Johnson was reappointed to the Bellefonte Borough Authority.
— Patricia Long was appointed to HARB for a five year term.
— Gay Dunne and Amy Kelchner were appointed as alternates for HARB.
— Chris Morelli and Mark Edwards were appointed to the Planning Commission.
— Gregory Wendt was appointed Bellefonte Area Industrial Development Authority pending an updated application.
— Mark Johnson was appointed to the Zoning Hearing Board.
— Jay Bryce Taylor was appointed to the Centre County Library Board.
— A Citizen/Vacancy Board Member will be chosen during the next meeting.
There were no applicants for the Civil Service Commission, the borough has 30 days to fill the vacancy.
Other items discussed during the meeting:
— A concerned citizen living with MS spoke during public comment and asked the borough to remind the public to shovel their sidewalks. Walking is his way of daily physical therapy and he expressed concerns with being able to move freely for not only him, but also children walking to school. Johnson extended an invitation for the man to contact him if the problem persists.
— During the first mayor’s spotlight of 2023, Johnson highlighted Chief Shawn Weaver and the Bellefonte Police Department. He thanked them for being visible and around for citizens when they need help.
— The council meeting schedule for 2023 was amended — the meeting on June 5 conflicts with the Borough Association’s Annual Conference in Hershey and was moved to Wednesday, June 7, at 7:30 p.m.
— Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 6 p.m. was announced to be a special meeting to review comments received about the Short Term Rental Ordinance Draft.