BELLEFONTE — A Pennsylvania 811 safe digging proclamation, updates to the borough manager ordinance and pointed public comment over remarks made by a council member at a previous March meeting highlighted the Bellefonte Borough Council work session and regular meeting Monday night.
Mayor Gene “Buddy” Johnson opened part of the meeting by reading a proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Pennsylvania 811 Safe Digging Month.
“By notifying 811 of their intent to dig, the homeowner or contractor is knowingly helping protect the underground utilities themselves, the work crew and their neighbors from unsafe digging practices within their community,” Johnson read.
The proclamation noted that Pennsylvania 811 received 1 million excavation notifications in 2025 and transmitted about 6 million notifications to member facility owners and operators.
Council also approved amendments to Chapter 88, the ordinance governing borough officers and employees, including changes related to the borough manager position.
Councilman Jon Eaton said the “primary changes to the ordinance” were eliminating the residency rule and the bond requirement while also making the language gender neutral. Under the revised ordinance, the borough manager no longer has to live in Bellefonte at the time of hiring, but “as soon as possible they will have to reside within a 15-mile radius of the borough office.”
During the public hearing on the ordinance, resident Tracy Spicer questioned the residency change.
“That just makes no sense to me,” Spicer said. “I would think they would have to reside here in a borough if they’re going to be in our council.”
Council members responded that the borough manager is an appointed position, not an elected one, and that the change was recommended because of the limited applicant pool.
Council President Doug Johnson said “times have changed where it’s been very difficult to recruit folks for this position,” calling the 15-mile radius “a reasonable compromise.”
Council later unanimously approved the ordinance after Joanne Tosti-Vasey pointed out one remaining instance of gender-specific language in the document that would need to be corrected administratively for consistency.
Council also unanimously authorized the advertisement of an amendment to Chapter 180, the borough’s air pollution ordinance. Tosti-Vasey said the revision removes most outdated language and keeps only portions the borough can realistically enforce.
“Basically, we took out 95% of the current 40, 50-year-old ordinance that related to very specific air pollution controls that are now handled by the federal and state government,” she said.
The most emotional portion of the meeting came during public comment, when several residents criticized Councilman Zach Kelly for comments he made at the end of the March 16 meeting promoting an anti-ICE protest at the courthouse.
Former Bellefonte Borough Council member Barry Spicer told Kelly, “You used a public platform for your own personal gain.” Spicer continued by stating, “You’re basically inciting violence, promoting these nonsense ICE protests that blocks the streets, that ties up our Bellefonte Police Department.”
Spicer finished by calling for Kelly to step down. “Tonight, I’m here to ask you to step down because it’s what’s best for Bellefonte Council.”
Chip Aikens also addressed Kelly by stating he was “heartbroken that a member of this body would invite outsiders to disrupt a legal process at our county courthouse, without thought of repercussion, without thought of any adverse activity that might affect the community that elected you, sir.”
“If there had been violence, my property had been damaged, you, sir, would have been personally sued because you do not have political immunity when you invite it from the council position,” Aikens said.
Tom Dann, while saying Kelly’s remarks were inappropriate, stopped short of calling for his resignation.
“I reviewed Mr. Kelly’s comments at the end of that meeting and at no point did he invite people to commit violence,” Dann said. “He merely invited people to come here and protest, which is a constitutional right guaranteed to all of us.”
Rita Purnell also spoke during public comment stating, “I reviewed Mr. Kelly’s comments at the end of that meeting. Mr. Kelly certainly has a right to do and say whatever he wants on his own time but not when it involves taxpayer dollars.”
Purnell also presented a petition calling for his resignation while also urging council to adopt a formal code of conduct.
“It’s still growing, but I’m speaking on behalf of at least 100 Bellefonte residents and quite a few other people from around the area that have signed,” Purnell stated.
During council comment, Councilwoman Barbara Dann echoed those concerns, “I am deeply concerned about the actions of Councilman Zach Kelly during the March 16 meeting of the Bellefonte Borough Council,” Dann said. “Using an official televised council meeting to promote a protest, regardless of the issue, crosses a line. Council meetings are for conducting borough business, not for advocating political or personal activity.”
Councilman Randy Brachbill added, “I felt this was wrong and inappropriate while the meeting was still in session,” Brachbill said. “I hope it doesn’t happen again because that’s very bad for Bellefonte when that starts happening.”
Kelly did not directly address the criticism in detail, but said, “I just want to say thank you for everyone coming out and starting a dialogue,” Kelly said. “Everyone came out here with kindness in their heart and civility. I would like to keep this conversation going with us for sure because I think that we all are on the same side.”
