Monthly Business Meeting
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on May 11, 2009, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Norma Shearer, Linda Ruff, Carol Eppley, Ken Hoover, and Gary Shultz. The lengthy session, running from 7:00 to 9:25 PM, opened with extensive public criticism of Chairman Shearer — multiple residents alleged the township newsletter was used as a political campaign tool at taxpayer expense, and several speakers referenced an ongoing petition for her resignation. Beyond the contentious public comment period, the board addressed road paving, park governance, stormwater issues, and land development matters.
Matamoras Road paving approved: The board unanimously authorized advertising for bids to pave Matamoras Road, with Roadmaster Dale Shoop estimating $99,000 for the dirt portion and $167,000 for the blacktop portion. The township will pave as much as liquid fuel funds allow.
Highway Occupancy Permit extension denied (2-3): A motion to grant Gary Lenker (Donco) a one-year extension on his Highway Occupancy Permit, set to expire July 15, 2009, failed with Ken Hoover and Gary Shultz in favor and Carol Eppley, Linda Ruff, and Norma Shearer opposed. The request will be reconsidered next month.
Witmer Manor pipe installation formally discontinued: The board voted unanimously to halt a stormwater pipe installation at Witmer Manor after Engineer Tom Wilson and Roadmaster Dale Shoop both confirmed the project would not resolve a Williams Street property owner's drainage complaint. Solicitor Steve Dzuranin said the underlying issue is a private party matter. During public comment, Flo Mallonee questioned how the original decision to stop the work was made, with Dale Shoop stating that Norma Shearer and Tom Wilson had made that call without a board vote.
Fort Halifax Park barn stabilization authorized (3-2): The board authorized Linda Ruff to obtain three verbal quotes for stabilizing the worst deteriorating areas of the park barn, not to exceed $8,000. Ken Hoover and Gary Shultz voted no. Resident Donna Rode argued the barn is structurally worthless and should be demolished or addressed through the Master Site Plan instead.
Fort Halifax Park rules adopted (4-1): Use rules and regulations for Fort Halifax Park were approved with Ken Hoover dissenting. It was clarified that while "bathing" is prohibited, swimming is permitted.
Wind turbine ordinance initiated: The board unanimously directed the Planning Commission to develop a wind turbine regulation ordinance, with a Dauphin County seminar on wind energy regulation noted for May 27.
Building permit fee set at flat $25: The board unanimously replaced the prior variable fee structure with a flat $25 fee for all building permit applications.
Township webmaster hired: The board unanimously approved a proposal from Travis Enders to serve as webmaster, with a two-hour monthly limit and instructions to notify the board if additional time is needed.
Who was there
Norma Shearer (Supervisor, Chairman) · Linda Ruff (Supervisor) · Carol Eppley (Supervisor) · Ken Hoover (Supervisor) · Gary Shultz (Supervisor) · Tom Wilson (Engineer) · Steve Dzuranin (Solicitor) · David Hoover (Secretary-Treasurer)
Public comments
Meeting business
Secretary/Treasurer's Report
The paid interim bills and unpaid current bills were presented. Carol Eppley moved to approve the bills as presented; the motion passed with all in favor except Ken Hoover, who was opposed. Linda Ruff noted the $1,200 M&V tent rental bill is paid from the $2,000 Tourism grant received by the Township.
Norma Shearer noted that Pete Flazar of Glace Associates was also a panelist and should be added. Carol Eppley motioned to approve the minutes with the addition of Pete Flazar; the motion carried unanimously.
It was noted that the Town Meeting scheduled for May 20, 2009 at 7:00 PM was missing from the minutes. Carol Eppley moved to approve the minutes with that addition; the motion carried unanimously.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission recommended a 60-day time extension. Ken Hoover motioned to approve; the motion carried unanimously.
The Planning Commission requested an update from the Supervisors regarding the Kauffman Plan. Linda Ruff motioned to authorize Solicitor Steve Dzuranin to work with Planning Commission Chairman Eppley to determine if remaining issues exist; the motion carried unanimously.
Norma Shearer asked if the Board would like the Planning Commission to develop a wind turbine regulation ordinance. Linda Ruff motioned for the Planning Commission to develop such an ordinance; the motion carried unanimously. Norma Shearer also cited a Dauphin County seminar on wind energy regulation scheduled for May 27, 2009 at 7:00 PM.
Engineer's Report
Engineer Tom Wilson recommended a reduction of the financial security provided by Flight Source Inc. by $50,712.20 to a remaining balance of $17,655.00. Carol Eppley motioned to approve the reduction as recommended; the motion carried unanimously.
Solicitor's Report
Ken Hoover motioned to accept the Deeds of Dedication from Bernice B. Anderson. Linda Ruff seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Gary Lenker requested an additional one-year extension for his Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP), set to expire July 15, 2009. Ken Hoover moved to grant the extension to July 15, 2010; Ken Hoover and Gary Shultz were in favor, but Carol Eppley, Linda Ruff, and Norma Shearer were opposed. The motion was denied; the request will be considered next month.
Roadmaster's Report
Two building permit applications were presented: Mark Loudin of Rutter Road for a 12' x 24' shed and Steve Tibbens of Dustin Drive for a 12' x 16' shed. Linda Ruff motioned to approve both; the motion carried unanimously.
Ken Hoover motioned to change the Township building permit fee to a flat $25 for all applications. Linda Ruff seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Dale Shoop suggested paving Matamoras Road at an estimated cost of $99,000 for the dirt portion and $167,000 for the blacktop portion, recommending paving all of the dirt section and as much blacktop as liquid fuels monies allow. Linda Ruff moved to approve advertising for bids; the motion carried unanimously.
Norma Shearer reported a Williams Street property owner was unhappy about water runoff. Dale Shoop and Tom Wilson both said the pending pipe installation would not resolve the issue, and Solicitor Steve Dzuranin said the problem is a private party issue. Carol Eppley motioned to formally discontinue the pipe installation in Witmer Manor; the motion carried unanimously.
Old Business
Donna Rode asked whether the bathing prohibition in item #8 includes swimming; she was told swimming is permitted. Carol Eppley motioned to approve the document as presented; the motion passed with all in favor except Ken Hoover, who was opposed.
Larry Rank emailed the Township on April 14, 2009 regarding continued underfunding of HARA's budgetary requests and requested a meeting with participating municipalities' supervisors. The Supervisors agreed to meet with HARA, offering three date options: Wednesday June 17, Tuesday June 23, or Wednesday June 24.
Linda Ruff moved to table the 537 Plan but include any information from the May 12, 2009 workshop. Ken Hoover seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.
House repairs consist of one piece of underlayment and vinyl to be installed in the kitchen. Electric installation is to begin when the backhoe is available, likely next week. Florence McGuire voiced concern over the length of time being taken to complete the electric work. Todd Etzweiler raised concern that the Township's liability insurance may not cover accidents during the electrical installation.
David Hoover reviewed the written proposal from Travis Enders, noting the fees are very reasonable. Linda Ruff motioned to approve the Webmaster proposal; the motion carried unanimously. The Webmaster will be asked to notify the Board if he needs to exceed the two-hour monthly limit.
Linda Ruff reported speaking to three individuals about barn stabilization work; phone quotes are sufficient if costs stay below $10,000. Donna Rode suggested the barn is worthless and should be torn down or included in the Master Site Plan. Carol Eppley motioned to authorize Linda Ruff to obtain three verbal quotes not to exceed $8,000 for stabilizing the worst deteriorating areas. The motion passed 3-2, with Carol Eppley, Linda Ruff, and Norma Shearer in favor and Ken Hoover and Gary Shultz opposed.
New Business
Larry Moore, Program Director of Dauphin County Parks and Recreation, thanked constituents and offered greetings from the County Commissioners. He announced a Musical Festival at Fort Halifax Park on July 18, 2009, along with events at the Ned Smith Center on June 13 and Kevin's Place in Lykens on July 8, and discussed County Parks and Recreation efforts in Northern Dauphin County.
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