Bellefonte Council Approves Talleyrand Stage Contracts

This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette.

BELLEFONTE — Bellefonte Borough Council on Monday awarded construction contracts for the long-anticipated Stage at Talleyrand project, approved several board appointments and received updates on upcoming community events, transportation improvements and preparations for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.

Council voted 7-1 to award a general construction contract to Mid-State Construction for $820,000 and an electrical construction contract to Westmoreland Electric for $105,999 for the project in the Talleyrand Park annex, which will include a 2,000-square-foot stage and related work.

Councilman Jon Eaton cast the lone dissenting vote. Council President Doug Johnson did not vote because he was serving in the mayor’s role during Mayor Gene Johnson’s excused absence.

Before the vote, Borough Manager David Pribulka said the contracts are contingent upon validating the contractors’ scope of work and implementing a plan to protect the Big Spring during construction.

“We believe it’s important that the contractor have a plan in place that’s approved by borough staff and the architect that gives us some contingencies in the event that they hit groundwater,” Pribulka said.

Much of the discussion centered on future restroom requirements associated with the stage. Johnson noted the project has a five-year window to provide permanent restroom facilities and expressed concern about potential future costs if funding is not secured.

Friends of Talleyrand representative Rick Jacobs said the organization currently has enough money to build the stage and intends to continue fundraising for restroom facilities but hopes for cooperation from local government partners.

“There should be restrooms on that side of the park,” Jacobs said. “But we need some help and we’d like to have a plan that shows that we’re not the only ones doing it.”

“I’m asking for the plan today and I don’t hear any plan,” Johnson said. “I just want council and the public to understand that this borough will be responsible for those restrooms if the money is not raised by the Talleyrand stage committee.”

Council also approved a letter of support for the Public Transit Task Force and made several appointments, including Charles Whitmer to the Civil Service Commission, Pribulka to the Bellefonte Fire Department Executive Committee, Deborah Cleeton to the borough Workplace Safety Committee and Eaton to the Spring Creek Watershed Commission.

During communications, council announced that applications for the vacant South Ward council seat will be accepted from June 29 through July 30. Residents interested in serving may submit a letter of interest and resume to the borough administration office.

Council also reminded residents about traffic and parking restrictions associated with the Bellefonte Cruise scheduled for June 19-20 and highlighted a free tire collection event hosted by the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority on Sept. 12.

Johnson presented a proclamation recognizing the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence and honoring local efforts connected to America250PA. Accepting the proclamation, Deb Berger said preparations for Bellefonte’s celebration continue to advance.

“We have about 50 units that have registered for the parade,” Berger said. “Once we hang the new hometown hero banners, we will have a little over 80 banners hanging in town honoring over 100 heroes that are not only veterans, but also first responders.”

Police Chief Bill Witmer announced Detective Larkin has been nominated for Centre County Officer of the Year. He also invited residents to attend the department’s annual “Pizza with Police” event at Pizza Mia ahead of cruise weekend.

Pribulka reported that intersection improvements near Parkview Heights and Zion Road are nearing completion although activation of the new traffic signal is not expected until fall. He also praised borough employees for maintaining an excellent workers’ compensation claims history over the past three years.

“Our employees, our team here, are doing a great job staying safe, following good practices, wearing personal protective equipment and doing what they can to keep themselves safe and injury free,” Pribulka said.

Johnson also shared an update from the State College Regional Airport noting that American Airlines will begin twice-daily nonstop service between State College and Charlotte, North Carolina, on Oct. 5. He said more than 500 seats have already been booked for the new route.