Monthly Business Meeting
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on April 9, 2012, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Ken Hoover, Randy Paul, and Gary Shultz. The meeting ran over three hours, driven largely by a dispute over the scheduling of Township Cleanup Day and the Friends of Fort Halifax Park Festival, which led the Board to adopt new policies governing park usage and how residents direct Township employees.
New park usage permit requirement adopted: The Board voted to require any group of more than 10 people to submit a written request to the Township Office at least 30 days in advance for any organized or unorganized activity at Township parks. The Township reserves the right to deny requests based on scheduling conflicts, weather, or safety concerns. The policy emerged after it was discovered that a private citizen had been contacting Township employees at their homes to direct work for the Fort Halifax Park Festival.
Work requests must go through the Township Office: After learning that a private citizen had been ordering employees to perform tasks — and that the Tobias Animal Farm bus being used lacked liability insurance and was unlawful to drive on public roads — the Board voted 5-0 that all work requests must be submitted to the Township Office for Board approval. The engineer and solicitor are exempted.
Township building lighting upgrade approved (~$4,798 after rebate): The Board approved a $6,400 lighting upgrade for the Township building, projected to reduce electricity costs by 54%. After utility rebates, the Township's cost will be approximately $4,798.
Prevailing wage resolution adopted: The Board unanimously passed a resolution urging the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to eliminate or amend the state prevailing wage act (Act 442 of 1961), which municipalities argue increases public construction costs.
Harman Stove bond partially released ($8,250): Based on Engineer Tom Wilson's review, the Board released $8,250 from the financial security bond held for the Harman Stove land development plan.
Part-time road crew hiring authorized: The Township will advertise for as-needed flaggers at $11/hour and CDL drivers at $12/hour to support upcoming road grading work.
Armstrong Valley Winery noise complaint discussed: Resident Sharon Johns reported continued noise problems from live bands at the winery. Randy Paul, who had made three prior visits without observing the issue, offered to make a site visit the next time the problem occurs. Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky suggested the Township obtain a sample noise ordinance from PSATS.
Ebenezer Road stormwater runoff under investigation: Kenneth Bechtel reported that runoff from an upper property is affecting two lower properties along Ebenezer Road, and he could not identify a stormwater retention facility on the upper parcel. Tom Wilson was directed to review the development plan, visit the site, and report back.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Ken Hoover (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Gary Shultz (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Tom Wilson (Engineer) · Corey Stazewski (Roadmaster) · Carolyn Nye (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Supervisor Hoover motioned to approve interim bills (passed 5-0), current unpaid bills including a K&W Engineer bill received that evening (passed 5-0), and the minutes as written (passed 5-0, seconded by Supervisor Bruner). The financial report was reviewed with no questions.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Fred Ford presented the March 5, 2012 Planning Commission report. Mr. Wirrick inquired about building a house on his parent's property on Parmer Drive and will need a Land Development Plan. Lannie Millette from Camp Hebron wants to replace trailers with cottages and will need a sketch plan. The Planning Commission is also working on building permit, energy, and sign ordinances. Supervisor Paul motioned to release $8,250.00 from the Harman Stove Plan Financial Security Bond based on Tom Wilson's review; passed 5-0.
ENGINEER REPORT
Tom Wilson presented his report dated April 5, 2012. Regarding the Galli Road property drainage project, Solicitor Warshawsky stated he will prepare a formal agreement with the landowners once the timeline and location are determined. A DEP permit is needed for the project.
SOLICITOR REPORT
Bruce Warshawsky presented his report dated April 3, 2012 covering numerous matters. The Planning Commission will work on reimbursement of professional fees for flood plain and stormwater management. The Alex Acres issue involves a parent dispute at a school bus stop at a private mobile home community; the school wants bus access but road repairs and tree trimming are needed. The Jorich/Matamoras Plan was given another 30 days for the engineer to resolve outstanding issues with Tom Wilson. Tobias litigation is in a holding pattern. One DONCO issue with Mr. Sweigard is resolved; Mr. Lenker may submit his plan by June. Stopfel lawsuit preliminary objections were filed. The Harns mortgage company paid the Township fine and attorney's fees through March 2012. Solicitor Warshawsky detailed a meeting regarding UDITO and a proposed fee sharing agreement to require PRS to provide financial information. The Employee Policy Manual is being reviewed using PSATS and private employer samples.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Roadmaster Corey Stazewski reported on several nuisance issues: Harman property cleanup is ongoing; the Hoover/Harner riverfront issue awaits Matt Williard's inspection report; Mrs. Johns raised continued noise concerns about Armstrong Valley Winery bands, and Supervisor Paul offered to make a site visit when the problem recurs. The Harn property nuisance is unsatisfied and in foreclosure; a detailed letter will be sent to the mortgage company. Corey presented a lighting upgrade estimate of $6,400.00 ($4,798.00 after rebate) for a 54% electric savings; Supervisor Paul motioned to proceed, passed 5-0. Road sign estimates are under $2,200.00. The 1977 road sweeper needs new brushes and Corey will research upgrade options. The Board decided Township employees will operate the backhoe if the Borough wants to use it. Supervisor Paul motioned to advertise for part-time flaggers at $11/hour and CDL drivers at $12/hour for road grading; passed 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS
Matt Ritchie reported he is purchasing the Bitting property and will do extensive cleanup to comply with the nuisance complaint. The Board confirmed cleanup day for May 4-5 (Friday 7 a.m.–3 p.m., Saturday 6 a.m.–noon). Discussion addressed concerns from Norma Shearer and others that cleanup was scheduled to conflict with the Friends of Ft. Halifax Park Festival; Supervisor Shultz stated this was not intentional. The Board noted that a private citizen had been contacting employees at their residences to direct work, and the Tobias Animal Farm bus was found unlawful to drive on public roads with no liability insurance. Supervisor Shultz motioned that all work requests must go through the Township office (passed 5-0). A revised motion requires any group of ten or more persons to submit a written request to the Township office 30 days in advance for park activities, with the Township reserving the right to deny based on conflict, weather, or safety; passed 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Supervisor Paul motioned that the Township would donate pipe for the ballfield extension along Kinsinger Road if the property owners obtain approval for the project; passed 5-0. Supervisor Bruner motioned to waive the reading of and approve a resolution urging the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to eliminate or amend the Prevailing Wage Act (Act 442 of 1961); both motions passed 5-0. Regarding Ebenezer Road stormwater, Chairman Bechtel reported that runoff from an upper property is affecting two lower properties and he could not identify a stormwater retention facility on the upper property; Tom Wilson was directed to review the plan, visit the site, and report back.
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Shultz motioned to adjourn at 10:18 p.m., seconded by Supervisor Paul; passed 5-0.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.