Monthly Business Meeting

7:00 PM – 8:40 PM 9 present 15 motions

Summary

Halifax Township's Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on January 12, 2009, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Norma Shearer, Linda Ruff, Carol Eppley, Ken Hoover, and Gary Shultz. The meeting drew an unusually large crowd of 49 residents and ten public speakers, many prompted by a recent Patriot News article questioning the legality of the township's building permit fee schedule. Debate also carried over from the January reorganization meeting, with several residents voicing frustration about transparency, office staffing decisions, and a proposed office relocation.

  • Building permit fee legality questioned: Multiple residents, including Carolyn Nye and Flo Mallonee, cited PSATS publications arguing the township's current building permit fees violate state law. The board unanimously directed Solicitor Steve Dzuranin to research the fee structure and report back in February.
  • Barn structural assessment approved 4–1: The board awarded a $2,450 contract to Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates to evaluate the stability of the township barn. Linda Ruff voted no, arguing the money would be better spent on actual repairs rather than an engineering study.
  • Rex Nightwine subdivision conditionally approved: The board unanimously granted three SALDO waivers (Sections 404, 502.3b, and 607) and approved the plan contingent on completion of a Financial Security Agreement and Stormwater Management Maintenance Agreement.
  • Tobias Road: abandonment halted, winter maintenance ended: Rather than formally abandon Tobias Road, the board voted to cease the abandonment process and instead post signage that no winter maintenance will be provided.
  • Gypsy moth spraying debated, tabled: The $6,489 spraying program prompted Chairman Shearer to poll the audience — 22 residents favored the township paying the full cost while 16 preferred property owners paying a portion. The decision was deferred to February.
  • HARA budget increase request tabled: HARA asked to exceed its $28,500 annual allocation (the township actually provided $33,828 in 2008). Gary Shultz proposed any overage be matched through grants or fundraising. Deferred to February.
  • Fellowship Drive complaint withdrawn: The legal action against Clarence Miller over the Fellowship Drive deed of dedication was withdrawn without prejudice, preserving the township's right to refile.
  • Per capita tax and compliance actions: Resolution #02-2009 approving the $5 per capita tax for 2009 passed unanimously. Solicitor Dzuranin was authorized to send a 30-day compliance letter to the Kauffmans regarding an outstanding June 2008 court order.

Who was there

Norma Shearer (Chairman/Supervisor) · Linda Ruff (Supervisor) · Carol Eppley (Supervisor) · Ken Hoover (Supervisor) · Gary Shultz (Supervisor) · Dale Shoop (Roadmaster) · David Hoover (Secretary/Treasurer) · Tom Wilson (Engineer) · Steve Dzuranin (Solicitor)

Public comments

Carolyn Nye — Commented about the Patriot News article regarding the building permit fee schedule; stated she had previously polled area municipalities and researched PSATS publications on the subject.
Florence McGuire — Asked for use of the Township Office for We The People; provided a political committee registration statement forwarded to the Solicitor.
Corrine Gelnett — Asked if an organization can have a picnic at Fort Halifax Park; subject to be placed on the February agenda.
Janet Greene — Asked Linda Ruff why the Township needed two full-time employees for the Secretary/Treasurer position; also inquired about a minimum setback allowance ordinance for wind turbines and was told there has been no action to date.
Melinda Warfel — Stated Halifax School District no longer uses the Upper Dauphin tax office for delinquent tax collection and now uses JP Harris in Mechanicsburg; asked if Halifax Township would consider using JP Harris to stay consistent with the school.
Flo Mallonee — Stated she read the PSATS news and feels the Township is breaking the law by charging the current building permit fee schedule; stated issues before the board should be provided to citizens prior to being acted upon.
Todd Etzweiler — Stated Linda Ruff needs a microphone; said the $0.25 per page copy charge is a joke; stated he couldn't get what he requested at the Township Office on January 6, 2009; asked what license Hoover Financial Service has to do Township financial work; felt Dale Shoop should have keys to the Hoover Financial Services building; thanked Ken and Carol for not voting in favor of moving the office.
Scott Corsnitz — Said that when Linda Ruff was opposed to changing Dale Shoop's title to Director of Public Works at the Reorganization Meeting because she didn't know about it, that is how citizens feel when they don't know about things in advance.
Jerry Kissinger — Asked when he will get a response to the letter he sent to the Township; Linda Ruff said she attempted to call but got no answer.
Colleen Smith — Read the newspaper article and expressed dissatisfaction with the Supervisors; questioned the need to move to a different building and leave an employee go when the Township already has a building.

Meeting business

Secretary/Treasurer's Report

Interim and current bills were approved unanimously on a motion by Carol Eppley, seconded by Gary Shultz. The December 8, 2008 minutes were approved unanimously. Approval of the January 5, 2009 reorganization meeting minutes was deferred to next month. December financial reports were presented.

budget
Approve the paid interim bills and unpaid current bills as presented.
Moved by Carol Eppley
Approve the December 8, 2008 minutes as presented.
Moved by Gary Shultz

Planning Commission

Planning Commission Report — January 7, 2009

Four items were acted on from the January 7 Planning Commission meeting. HAARA received a 60-day extension until March 10, 2009. Rex Nightwine's plan was conditionally approved with SALDO waivers (Sections 404, 502.3b, and 607) pending completion of Financial Security and Stormwater Management Maintenance agreements. Solicitor Steve Dzuranin was directed to send a letter to Accu-Mold's attorney with K&W Engineers and Planning Commission comments. The Board voted to cease abandonment of Tobias Road and post signage that no winter maintenance will be provided.

planningland-developmentsubdivisionroadsstormwater
Approve a 60-day extension for HAARA until March 10, 2009.
Moved by Linda Ruff
Approve waivers of Sections 404, 502.3b, and 607 of the SALDO for Rex Nightwine.
Moved by Linda Ruff
Approve the Rex Nightwine plan conditionally, contingent upon completion of the Financial Security Agreement and the Stormwater Management Maintenance Agreement.
Moved by Ken Hoover
Have Solicitor Dzuranin send a letter to Accu-Mold's Attorney with comments from K&W Engineers and the Planning Commission.
Moved by Gary Shultz
Cease abandonment of Tobias Road and post signage that no winter maintenance will be provided.
Moved by Carol Eppley

Engineer's Report

Engineer's Report — January 8, 2009

The release of financial security to David and Debra Zerby was approved as recommended by K&W Engineers. Norma Shearer noted requests for copies of the 537 Plan; Justin Kuhn stated the cost is $100.00 per copy ($87.12 supply, $12.88 labor). Copies will be made on request through K&W Engineers, and posting the plan on the Township website will be considered.

infrastructureact-537
Approve the release of the Financial Security to David & Debra Zerby as recommended by K&W.
Moved by Carol Eppley

Solicitor's Report

Solicitor's Report — January 9, 2009

The Board voted to withdraw the Fellowship Drive deed of dedication complaint against Clarence Miller without prejudice. Solicitor Steve Dzuranin was authorized to send a compliance letter to Ms. and Mr. Kauffman regarding the June 30, 2008 Court Order, with a 30-day deadline. Dzuranin thanked Melinda Warfel for information helping locate Mr. Casner regarding a nuisance complaint. The Solicitor was also authorized to research the Township building permit fee structure and report at the next meeting.

legalpermits
Withdraw the Complaint against Clarence Miller without prejudice to preserve the Township's right to refile its action (Fellowship Drive deed of dedication).
Moved by Carol Eppley
Authorize Solicitor Dzuranin to send a letter to Ms. Kauffman and Mr. Kauffman requesting compliance with the Court Order dated June 30, 2008 within 30 days.
Moved by Carol Eppley
Authorize the Solicitor to research the Township building permit fees structure and report at next month's meeting.
Moved by Gary Shultz

Roadmaster's Report

Roadmaster's Report — January 12, 2009

Paving of Scholl Road was discussed and tabled. A sample litter ordinance was reviewed; Linda Ruff raised enforcement concerns, and Solicitor Steve Dzuranin will research the issue.

roadsordinances
Paving of Scholl Road.

Old Business

HARA's budget request was discussed; the 2009 budget is $28,500 though $33,828 was actually given in 2008. Gary Shultz suggested amounts over budget be on a matching-funds basis; Linda Ruff offered grant-writing assistance through Traci Cox. Tabled to February. Gypsy moth spraying costs $6,489 for 2009; Chairman Shearer polled the 49 citizens present and 22 favored the Township paying while 16 favored citizens paying a portion. Tabled to February. Gary Shultz's motion to accept the $2,450 bid from Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates for the barn structural assessment carried 4-1 with Linda Ruff opposed; Tom Wilson was authorized to finalize the agreement. Resolution #02-2009 approving the $5 per capita tax for 2009 was approved unanimously. Delinquent per capita tax collector assignment was discussed with Tax Collector Melinda Warfel but no action was taken.

budgetenvironmentinfrastructurecontractstaxesrecreation
4-1 Accept the bid of $2,450 from Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Assoc for structural assessment of the barn.
Moved by Gary Shultz $2,450
Authorize Engineer Tom Wilson to finalize the agreement with Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Assoc.
Moved by Carol Eppley
Approve Resolution #02-2009 approving the $5 per capita tax for 2009.
Moved by Carol Eppley

New Business

Florence McGuire — We The People

Florence McGuire requested use of the Township meeting room for We The People, described as a political committee group. Norma Shearer expressed concern about opening the room to any group that requests it. Solicitor Steve Dzuranin will research the matter and respond.

community-eventslegal

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