BELLEFONTE — Staff turnover and new appointments were the focus of Bellefonte Borough Council’s latest meeting, which included action on vacancies and administrative roles.

Council accepted the resignations of Grants and Special Projects Manager Julie Brooks and Nuisance Code Enforcement Officer Steve Barr, appointed Alyssa Doherty to expanded administrative duties and voted 7-2 to seat former Borough Manager Ralph Stewart on the Bellefonte Borough Authority.

Brooks, who had served as Bellefonte’s manager of grants and special projects, resigned effective Aug. 22. Brooks, of Morrisdale, has since accepted a position as Clearfield Borough’s manager.

Her departure leaves Bellefonte in need of a new grant writer.

In March, the borough received proposals from Atlas, Delta Development and One+ Strategies for grant writing administrative services. At Monday’s meeting, council moved to schedule presentations with the firms for an upcoming work session.

“We certainly count on those (grants), and should keep up with them,” said Council President Barbara Dann. “I’m not sure this is what we’re going to do, but I think we need to get more information on (these proposals).”

Brooks’ resignation also opened up several administrative roles, which Alyssa Doherty, assistant to the borough manager, will fill in the interim.

Effective Aug. 25, Doherty was unanimously appointed ADA Coordinator, Right-to-Know Officer and Shade Tree Commission Administrator.

“I just wanted to say thank you to Alyssa for picking up some extra responsibilities. We appreciate you,” Councilwoman Rita Purnell said.

The borough’s nuisance code enforcement officer, Steve Barr, has also resigned. Effective Sept. 3, Brandon Eckenroth assumed the role on an interim basis.

Council also voted on whether to appoint former Borough Manager Ralph Stewart to the Bellefonte Borough Authority for a term through Dec. 31, 2028.

The seven-member authority, appointed by council, manages and sets policies and rates for the borough’s water and wastewater system.

“I have decided not to support this recommendation,” said Dann. “I don’t believe it is in the best interest of the borough at this point. And I’m really not permitted to discuss anything further in a public meeting about this.”

Leaving her remarks at that, she turned the matter over to a vote, where council approved Stewart’s appointment 7-2, with Councilwoman Joanne Tosti-Vasey joining her in dissent.

“When Ralph stepped down as borough manager, he stayed on as secretary of the water authority. With him coming on as a member, who will be taking over that duty?” Tosti-Vasey asked.

Authority representatives said the panel will make their recommendation at their regularly scheduled meeting, which was on Wednesday evening.

Additional personnel matters were also briefly addressed. Among them, the swearing-in of Patrol Officer Gage Baumgardner was removed from the meeting agenda, and an executive session on personnel matters was held after the meeting adjourned.

In other business, council:

— Briefly discussed the Spring Creek Watershed Commission’s 2026 budget. “We are setting up committees to go to each municipality within the Spring Creek Watershed,” Councilman Randy Brachbill said. “Two years ago we went up 10 cents, and we’re going to go up another 10 cents hopefully for the next two years or maybe longer depending on how things go.” He said the increase is needed to support additional members, such as the commission’s grant-writing committee.

— Approved the issuance of two Certificates of Appropriateness for HARB projects in the borough.

— Ratified the Police Association Contract for 2026-2028 and approved a memorandum of understanding between the borough and the Bellefonte Police Association Academy for training.

— Voted to submit the 2026 Centre County Liquid Fuels application to fund the Parkview/Zion Road traffic signal project. With Brooks’ departure, Alyssa Doherty will handle the matter.

— Tabled discussion of a metered handicap space in front of 206 W. High St. A local business owner requested the space to accommodate elderly and mobility-impaired clients at her massage therapy and wellness practice.

— Touched on the Kepler Pool restoration project. “Kepler Pool and the Nittany Valley Rec Authority are seeking additional grant funds. They have heard they will receive approximately $1.4 million. For the match, they are approximately $450,000 short and are working on finding this funding.” said Dann. “Hopefully we can get a public pool again at Governors Park.”