Monthly Business Meeting
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on April 13, 2009, running from 7:00 PM to 10:37 PM. All five supervisors were present: Chairman Norma Shearer, Linda Ruff, Carol Eppley, Ken Hoover, and Gary Shultz, along with Engineer Tom Wilson and Solicitor Steve Dzuranin. The lengthy session dealt with land development approvals, a building permit fee refund, escalation of the Kauffman litigation, and two contentious split votes on tenant finances and meeting room policy.
- Building permit fee refunds ordered: The board unanimously approved refunding permit fees collected above $25 per permit during the three years prior to November 2008, after Solicitor Steve Dzuranin determined the township's fee structure did not directly reflect its actual administrative costs. Norma Shearer will assist in working out the details.
- Kauffman contempt petition authorized: With the defendants' attorney having withdrawn and required documents and fees still outstanding, the board voted 5-0 to file a Petition of Contempt to escalate enforcement in the ongoing Kauffman litigation.
- HAARA and Eshenbaugh land development plans approved: The board granted waivers and conditional approval for the HAARA development plan, and separately approved the Eshenbaugh subdivision plan without conditions, granted a SALDO section 404 waiver, and accepted the Eshenbaugh Deed of Dedication — all unanimously.
- Tenant utility arrears repayment set at $250/month (4-1): Tenants must pay an additional $250 per month from May through September toward outstanding utility debts, on top of current electric and rent. The arrangement will be revisited before winter. Linda Ruff cast the sole opposing vote.
- Meeting Room Use Policy amended (4-1): Following pointed questions from resident Donna Rode about whether the alcohol and drug prohibition applied to all township property, the board clarified it covers only the meeting room and approved the amended policy over Ken Hoover's dissent.
- Fellowship Drive fee settlement dies for lack of a second: Ken Hoover moved to accept $500 as full payment for Fellowship Drive road inspection fees from Mr. Miller, contingent on completing remaining dedication requirements. No supervisor seconded the motion. Donna Rode asked the four non-responding supervisors to resign.
- Friends of Fort Halifax awarded $5,000 grant: Resident Bonnie Freeman announced that a grant applied for by Linda Ruff was awarded to stabilize the historic barn at Fort Halifax. Engineer Tom Wilson also presented a separate barn structural assessment.
- Right to Know Policy adopted and Act 537 workshop scheduled: The board unanimously approved a new Right to Know Policy. Confirmed sewage malfunctions in the proposed Act 537 Plan were tabled, and an informational workshop was scheduled for May 12 from 6:00–7:30 PM. Resident Janet Greene also asked the board to consider wind turbine ordinances.
Who was there
Norma Shearer (Chairman/Supervisor) · Linda Ruff (Supervisor) · Carol Eppley (Supervisor) · Ken Hoover (Supervisor) · Gary Shultz (Supervisor) · Tom Wilson (Engineer (K&W Engineers)) · Steve Dzuranin (Solicitor) · David Hoover (Secretary/Treasurer)
Public comments
Meeting business
Public Comment Period
Mike Decker requested approval to attend County training, assistance completing the Hazard Mitigation Plan, and approval of the EOP Resolution. Linda Ruff moved to approve all requests, seconded by Carol Eppley; motion carried unanimously. Tom Wilson of K&W Engineers will work with Decker on the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Secretary/Treasurer's Report
Paid interim bills and unpaid current bills were approved unanimously on a motion by Linda Ruff, seconded by Gary Shultz. The March 9, 2009 business meeting minutes were approved unanimously on a motion by Carol Eppley, seconded by Gary Shultz. The March financial reports were accepted.
Planning Commission
Fred Ford presented the Planning Commission report. The Board was referred to the attached Solicitor's Report for details.
Engineer's Report
Tom Wilson of K&W Engineers reviewed the Engineer's Report and presented a report on the Barn Structural Assessment. Additional details were included in the attached report.
Solicitor's Report
Solicitor Steve Dzuranin reviewed multiple items: HAARA waivers were granted and conditional plan approval given unanimously; Eshenbaugh waiver of SALDO provision 404, plan approval, and Deed of Dedication were all approved unanimously; Fellowship Drive deed of dedication requirements were outlined; a Petition of Contempt was approved for the Kauffman litigation after Mrs. Kauffman's attorney withdrew; building permit fees collected in excess of $25 per permit over the prior three years will be refunded, with Norma Shearer assisting on details; the Right to Know Policy was approved unanimously; and a meeting with Halifax Fire Company is forthcoming.
Roadmaster's Report
Dale Shoop confirmed with Tom Wilson that the Mountain Road traffic study, including signage recommendations, is complete. Building permits were approved unanimously for a Halifax Fire Company roof over the entry/sidewalk area and a garage for Richard Schoffstall on Hershey Road. Township Cleanup was scheduled for May 8-9 with no employee pickup provided. Dave Bitting received approval and will meet with PPL regarding park electric work, to be completed shortly after the Festival.
SEO Report
Norma Shearer reported confirmed malfunctions in the proposed Act 537 Plan. Discussion ensued on whether to address them now or wait until the plan is approved. The matter was tabled until next month's meeting.
Old Business
The Meeting Room Use Policy was amended after discussion with Donna Rode and approved on a motion by Carol Eppley, seconded by Gary Shultz, with Ken Hoover opposed. Fort Halifax Park Rules & Regulations will be posted online for action next month. Park seeding erosion concerns were discussed but no formal action taken. Tenant utility arrears payment of $250/month from May through September was approved on a motion by Gary Shultz, seconded by Ken Hoover, with Linda Ruff opposed. A response to a letter from HARA will be drafted by Linda Ruff and Solicitor Dzuranin; Solicitor Dzuranin will also review a HARA Bylaw document signed by Norma Shearer. A motion by Ken Hoover to accept $500 for Fellowship Drive inspection fees died for lack of a second. An Act 537 Plan informational workshop was scheduled for May 12 from 6-7:30 PM.
New Business
The Dauphin County/Fort Halifax Park Music Festival item and Eagle Scout Project by Darren Mauser were both tabled. Travis Enders demonstrated a proposed township website at $19.95/month with a $70 one-time design fee; a written proposal will be provided next month. Gary Shultz and Carol Eppley are considering participating in a township insurance review with David Hoover. The Fort Halifax Festival is scheduled for May 2 from 10 AM to 6 PM with Education Day on May 1. Norma Shearer announced a town meeting for May 20, 2009 at 7 PM.
Adjournment
Linda Ruff moved to adjourn at 10:37 PM, seconded by Carol Eppley. Motion carried unanimously.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.