BELLEFONTE — Bellefonte Borough Council marked Women’s History Month, approved a fee waiver for an America 250 parade and heard resident concerns about winter parking before circling back to an ongoing conversation about how council uses its meeting space.
Mayor Johnson read a proclamation declaring March 2026 as Women’s History Month in the borough.
“Whereas the Borough of Bellefonte recognizes the vital role women have played and continue to play in shaping the history, culture and progress of our community, our state and our nation,” Johnson said. “Now, therefore, I, Buddy Johnson, Mayor of the borough of Bellefonte, on behalf of Borough Council, do hereby proclaim March 2026 as Women’s History Month in the borough of Bellefonte and urge all residents to celebrate the achievements, contributions and enduring legacy of women.”
Chriss Schultz of the American Association of University Women, spoke about the organization’s local history and the work it supports in Centre County. She noted AAUW’s roots in State College and described the growth of its used book sale fundraiser. “Fast forward today, this annual book sale has grown into a popular community event,” Schultz said, adding, “We have hundreds of local volunteers and sell a quarter million books.”
Kathleen O’Connell, president of the League of Women Voters of Centre County, thanked the borough for the proclamation and referenced the League’s history from women’s suffrage through voter registration and civic education. She promoted the League’s candidate night. “Our primary candidates night will be this April 30th in the State College Borough Building at 7pm,” she said, and reminded residents of the upcoming deadline. “The voter registration deadline for the May 19 primary is May 4.”
Kim Hamilton, representing Nittany NOW, said Women’s History Month should include recognizing women in the community. “It’s also a moment to recognize the women in our own lives,” she said. “Our mothers, daughters, colleagues, friends.”
Later in the meeting, council voted 6-3 to waive a $100 special event fee requested by Historic Bellefonte Inc. for a July 3 parade and banner dedication tied to America’s 250th anniversary. Council President Doug Johnson read from the request, which stated, “Plans to have an American 250 celebration parade combined with a dedication of Banners on Friday, July 3rd is in the works.” The request also said, “This will not only be wonderful for the town of Bellefonte, but being the county seat, it will be a great way to show Bellefonte’s patriotism.”
Johnson further stated, “I’m going to go out on a limb here and say I will cover the $100 for this project. If council votes this down, I will cover it. And if there’s others who want to contribute, fine. But this is a special event for this town and for veterans and other community Members. It’s a non-profit to me. It needs to be waived.”
Some council members raised questions about borough costs related to staffing, road closures and safety. Council member Barbara Dann said she supported the event but questioned whether the fee should be waived. “I would be happy to contribute to that too, but I don’t think we should wave waive the fee,” she said.
Others argued the waiver made sense given the community purpose. “I don’t think you can politically have a win by charging somebody for a hundred-dollar fee to have the 250th anniversary parade,” council member Jon Eaton said. “You know, I might not be here for 2076, so what the hay, for 2026, let’s waive the fee.”
During public comment near the end of the meeting, South Spring Street resident Travis O’Neal said a winter parking change left him and others with few options close to home. “I moved here not that long ago with my wife. So, believe it or not, I drive about an hour to work every day, so I don’t get home till about 6,” he said. “So come Friday, I’m sure you can consider my surprise when I got home and I was no longer allowed to park in my parking spot that I’ve been parking for the last six years.”
He said the nearest alternative is far enough away to create daily challenges, particularly with a baby expected later this year. “I can only imagine now, come the winter that I’m going to be walking all the way down to Allegheny Street with my car seat, my child and my carrier,” he said.
“I feel like my family’s not wanted because I’m being pushed out of my own street,” O’Neal said.
Mara O’Neal suggested a storm-based approach rather than a long seasonal restriction. “A solution that they had was a snow ban that they enact before a storm,” she said. “Most of the residents are just inconvenienced for a couple of days at most, instead of for six whole months out of the year.”
Johnson said the borough would take another look. “We’re always open to taking another look at problem areas,” he said, adding he would ask the Streets Committee “to have another look at it and see if there’s a compromise we can help these folks out with.”
Earlier in the evening at the work session, council discussed how to better use the chamber space, starting with sound improvements and the placement of furniture. “We just lowered these speakers down last week and can you hear me back there better?” Johnson asked at the start of the discussion.
Council member Joanne Tosti-Vasey said the audio change helped. “I like the way these speakers are downed. I can hear everybody in the room much better than they were before,” she said.
The same discussion included concerns about what viewers see on the borough’s broadcast feed and whether a future reconfiguration should include more visual aids, screens or a change in how the room is arranged.
