After more than 30 years with the borough, including the last 24 as its top administrator, Bellefonte Borough Manager Ralph Stewart is retiring.
Bellefonte Borough Council accepted Stewart’s retirement letter at its meeting on Monday. His last day in the borough office will be March 28, and he offered to provide assistance during the transition.
Stewart wrote that retiring was not an easy decision, but that it came after “careful consideration” about his “future and personal aspirations.”
“I can’t believe how fast time has gone. It’s just amazing,” Stewart said on Monday. “I will miss everybody… So many people have been good to me and helped me be successful. I want to thank everyone who has reached out to me over the years and helped me along the way. It’s been very meaningful. I won’t ever forget that.”
Stewart started with the borough in July 1994 as the planning, zoning, code and grants administrator, later becoming the assistant to the borough manager and the assistant borough manager.
Since January 2001, he has served as borough manager.
“If we could keep him here as long as we could, we’d be better off,” council member Randy Brachbill said.
Stewart has been “an invaluable resource” who will be missed, council member Rita Purnell added.
“It’s been a pleasure working with you,” council member Doug Johnson said. “You’ve taught me a lot and you’ve taken a lot of time with me. … I appreciate your insight into lots of things in town, so don’t go too far away.”
Stewart wrote that during his tenure he has “had the pleasure of contributing to a number of successful projects,” such as the waterfront along Spring Creek and the expanded development of Talleyrand Park.
“This is such a beautiful community and we just need to remember that and go forward,” Stewart said. “The borough’s in good hands. I’m sure you’re going to have much more success in the future.”
