BELLEFONTE — Bellefonte Borough Council unanimously agreed to move forward with an application for funding to replace a deteriorating water main along South Potter Street during its meeting this week.

Council authorized Centre County, on behalf of the borough, to submit an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for fiscal year 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement funding for the water main replacement project.

The water main runs along South Potter Street, beginning near Masullo Park and extending just under a mile to a multifamily residential development near the intersection of Hillary and Roopsburg roads at the borough line.

Borough Manager David Pribulka said the aging water main has experienced significant leaks.

“We’ve done some patch work on it, but this will, if successful, enable the replacement of that water main and provide higher quality service to those residents,” Pribulka said.

In addition to improving water service, the replacement is expected to reduce inflow and infiltration issues in the area.

“All in all, staff believes this is a good candidate project,” Pribulka said. “It will be a good opportunity for us to improve that dilapidated water main.”

Pribulka said the borough would have several years to plan and complete the project if the funding is awarded.

While no preliminary cost estimate has been completed, he said the borough expects the CDBG award to total about $116,000.

“It may not be enough to do the entirety of it, but we will be able to get a little bit more details as we begin the design work,” Pribulka said.

The extent of traffic disruptions during construction also remains unknown.

“I’m sure there will be some disruption; it’s just too early to be able to say specifically what that might look like,” Pribulka said.

In other business, council:

— Reminded the public that council is accepting letters of interest and resumes from individuals interested in filling the soon-to-be-vacant South Ward council seat. Letters and resumes may be submitted to Alyssa Doherty at adoherty@bellefontepa.gov or delivered to the Bellefonte Borough Administrative Office, 301 N. Spring St., Suite 200, Bellefonte. Submissions will be accepted through 4:30 p.m. July 30, 2026.

— Announced PennDOT began overnight resurfacing work on Route 550, Bishop Street, yesterday and will begin milling on Route 550, High Street, Thursday. Work will occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. and will include milling, paving and line painting. Motorists should expect flaggers, lane restrictions and minor delays.

This resurfacing project will improve ride quality and extend the life of more than seven miles of roadway in Centre County, according to PennDOT. In addition to Route 550, work will also take place on Howard Street and other state routes as part of the project. PennDOT expects the overall project to be completed by the end of August, weather permitting.

“We ask that vehicles be cautious when traveling through there,” Pribulka said.

— Announced the eighth annual Bellefonte EMS Joint Meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, at Bellefonte EMS, 369 Phoenix Ave., Bellefonte. RSVPs should be sent to Scott Rhoat at ssrhoat@bems.net by Monday, July 27.

— Reviewed the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority community events schedule. Upcoming events include Arts Festival Kids’ Day, today; paper shredding events, Aug. 29 and Oct. 3; Lion Bash, Sept. 3; and the annual Tire Collection Event, Sept. 12. Registration is currently open for the September tire collection.

— Approved its consent agenda.

— Heard a presentation from Mayor Gene Johnson, who applauded the volunteers who made the America250 and Hometown Heroes celebration possible over the holiday weekend.

“Our community is so great,” he said. “Thank you to everybody who had a hand in that.”

— Appointed Councilman Zach Kelly as alternate to the Spring Creek Watershed Commission and Councilwoman Deb Cleeton to the COG Public Safety Committee.

— Heard Councilwoman Barbara Dann raise the issue of feral cats on South Monroe Street.