Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held July 19, 7:10 PM to 8:45 PM — DONCO construction agreement
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held their monthly business meeting on August 8, 2011, with Chairman Kenneth Bechtel presiding alongside Supervisors Gary Shultz and Ken Hoover; Supervisors Carol Eppley and Linda Stopfel were absent. The nearly three-hour meeting was dominated by an outpouring of public opposition to continued spending on Fort Halifax Park, with six residents delivering detailed arguments against the Master Site Plan and any intergovernmental agreements. The Board also awarded contracts for road paving and equipment, addressed multiple property nuisance complaints, and adopted a new vehicle use policy.
- Fort Halifax Park spending drew sustained opposition: Six residents urged the Board to halt park investment. Fred Ford reported finding no available grant money after contacting legislators and DCNR. Melinda Warfel itemized prior expenditures — $100,000 from the township treasury, a $400,000 loan now paid off, and $10,173 for a mower — and projected that a full-time park employee would raise taxes by 1 mill ($150/year on a $150,000 property). Eileen Snyder noted the township has lost over $85,800 in tax revenue since the land became parkland and that Dauphin County Parks and Recreation said in 2008 that Halifax already has 200% of recommended parkland for 2020. Donna Rode proposed three remedies: transferring the park to Dauphin County, placing a referendum on the November ballot, or invoking nullification to return the decision to voters. Chairman Bechtel noted that DCNR requires the Master Site Plan to be completed regardless. The Board took no action to table the plan.
- Fellowship Drive paving awarded to Eastern Industries at $19,840, the lowest of three bids (Meckleys at $22,533; Jay Fulkroad and Son at $27,856). Approved 3-0.
- 1994 Chevy truck sold to Henry Land for $1,785, the highest of three sealed bids. Approved 3-0.
- Unauthorized sewage installation on the Dale Hoover property: SEO Mike Brown reported sewage facilities were installed without approval along the river. The solicitor directed a cease-and-desist letter to the Harners, who are under a sales agreement for the property, requiring them to halt work and submit proper paperwork.
- Township authorized to perform nuisance cleanup on the Stewart property after the owner failed to act; Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky will advise on lien protections. Approved 3-0. Nuisance letters were also approved or directed for the Albright, Gene Nye, and Mike Kolva properties.
- Nuisance complaint procedure streamlined: Staff may now investigate and communicate with property owners about nuisances without requiring a Board vote for each case. Approved 3-0.
- Vehicle Use Policy adopted by resolution. Approved 3-0.
- Manning bankruptcy closed at a loss: Over $2,000 owed to the township was discharged in bankruptcy with no chance of recovery.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman) · Gary Shultz (Supervisor) · Ken Hoover (Supervisor) · Tom Wilson (Engineer) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Carolyn Nye (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
BIDS
Three bids were received for the 1994 Chevy truck: Henry Land ($1,785.00), Sulli Motors ($505.00), and Eric Pinkerton ($501.01). The bid was awarded to Henry Land as the highest bidder, approved 3-0.
Three paving bids were received for Fellowship Drive: Meckleys ($22,533.00), Jay Fulkroad and Son ($27,856.00), and Eastern Industries ($19,840.00). The low bid from Eastern Industries at $19,840.00 was accepted, approved 3-0.
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Motion to approve the interim bills was made by Supervisor Hoover, seconded by Supervisor Shultz, and carried 3-0.
Motion to pay the current bills including Tom Wilson's engineer bill was made by Supervisor Shultz, seconded by Supervisor Hoover, and carried 3-0.
Minutes were approved with a spelling correction on page 4, line 10 (correcting to "tried"). Motion by Supervisor Hoover, seconded by Supervisor Shultz, carried 3-0.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Fred reported that a representative from Camp Hebron inquired about demolishing an existing building and rebuilding on the same site under the same footprint. The Planning Commission hopes to finalize the SALDO in about two months. The next scheduled workshop was cancelled.
SOLICITOR REPORT
Solicitor Bruce Warshasky reviewed the Martin Konchar lawsuit filed approximately three years ago claiming that part of the park property deeded from the PA Conservancy to the Township belongs to him. The case had been dormant for two years, but Konchar's attorney filed to proceed, and the judge ordered the matter tried or resolved within three months. Bruce will review the case and report to the Board.
Solicitor Bruce Warshasky stated he will follow up with Mike regarding outstanding bills owed to the Township and information relative to DEP/Act 537 requirements.
The bankruptcy case is finished and the $2,000-plus owed to the Township has been discharged with no chance of recovery.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Roadmaster Corey requested authorization to purchase a toolbox for the new truck. Motion by Supervisor Shultz to authorize a purchase under $500.00 was seconded by Supervisor Hoover and carried 3-0.
Corey requested reimbursement for a part-time employee's time and mileage for mandatory CDL drug and alcohol testing. The Board approved reimbursement for two hours plus 12 miles travel distance, carried 3-0. Solicitor Bruce will draft a resolution formalizing the policy.
SEO REPORT
SEO Mike Brown reported unauthorized installation of sewage facilities on the Dale Hoover property along the river. The Solicitor directed that a cease and desist letter be issued. The Harners, who are under a sales agreement for the property, were instructed to stop activities and submit proper paperwork to the Township per the SALDO.
OLD BUSINESS
Motion by Supervisor Hoover to waive the reading of the resolution for attorney fees was seconded by Supervisor Shultz and carried 3-0.
Motion by Supervisor Shultz to approve the resolution for attorney fees was seconded by Supervisor Hoover and carried 3-0.
The Solicitor reported the Township is still waiting for an as-built plan and letter describing changes from Mr. Harman. The Secretary was instructed to contact Mr. Harman to determine when these documents can be expected.
Mr. George, the engineer for Mr. Jorich, is expected to submit the updated as-built plan and provide additional or revised bonding to reflect remaining work by the next meeting.
Mr. Masser was given an extension to remove a building, which is still standing. Jerry Kissinger presented photos showing high weeds remain despite reports they were cut. Dale will make a site visit and inform Mr. Masser to cut the weeds.
Motion by Supervisor Shultz for the Township to perform cleanup on the Stewart property was seconded by Supervisor Hoover and carried 3-0. The Solicitor will advise the Board on protecting the Township's lien position and any additional steps needed before the self-help action.
Motion by Supervisor Hoover to send a nuisance letter to the Albrights regarding high weeds was seconded by Supervisor Shultz and carried 3-0.
The Solicitor reported finding no other easement agreement beyond what was known. Both landowners will need to be contacted to enter into an agreement within the drainage easement if they want trees removed. The Solicitor and Corey will work together, with Corey contacting the landowners.
The Solicitor read the vehicle use policy. Motion by Supervisor Shultz to adopt the resolution was seconded by Supervisor Hoover and carried 3-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Eileen Snyder presented historical context on Fort Halifax Park, including concerns about the barn in the floodplain, loss of over $85,800 in tax revenue since the property became parkland, and questions about sycamore tree grants and development plans. She noted Dauphin County Parks and Recreation stated in 2008 that Halifax has 200% of recommended parkland for 2020, and asked whether the park could be given to the County. Chairman Bechtel stated DCNR requires the Master Site Plan to be completed regardless of development.
Supervisor Hoover asked Reverend Krenz about the Matter property. Krenz confirmed that the Friends of Ft. Halifax acquired the property and believed it had been announced. Supervisor Hoover stated he had not been previously informed.
Motion by Supervisor Shultz to permit staff to investigate, identify, and communicate regarding nuisances without requiring Board action was seconded by Supervisor Hoover and carried 3-0.
Chairman Bechtel raised the issue of alcoholic beverages being used at Fort Halifax Park during a recent music festival, which violates posted park rules established by the previous Township administration. Corey reported that County personnel had instructed others not to check coolers and to look the other way.
A nuisance letter will be sent to Gene Nye and Mike Kolva regarding trash and garbage on their properties.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.