Monthly Business Meeting
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held their monthly business meeting on August 13, 2012, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Ken Hoover, Randy Paul, and Gary Shultz. A reported $38,000 shortfall in township revenues compared to the prior year set a cautious financial backdrop, while road maintenance, stormwater disputes, and property nuisance complaints drove much of the evening's discussion across a two-hour-plus session.
- Township income running $38,000 behind prior year: Secretary Carolyn Nye reported the shortfall during the financial report. No corrective action was proposed; the report was filed for audit.
- Ebenezer Road drainage dispute settled without enforcement (4-1 vote): In the only non-unanimous vote of the evening, the board accepted Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky's recommendation to forgo enforcement action against Mr. Zelinski over a required stormwater detention facility on Ebenezer Road. The engineer determined the facility has little or no impact on downstream properties, though the solicitor noted the stormwater plan should have been reviewed when the building permit was originally issued. A memorandum of understanding will be drafted instead. Brad Bruner moved, Ken Hoover seconded.
- $2,000 approved for seasonal road crew: The board unanimously appropriated an additional $2,000 for seasonal laborers to continue grading Taylor School Road and Price Road, with an estimated ten more weeks of work remaining. Pipe replacement on Camp Hebron Road will follow once permits are obtained. Moved by Randy Paul, seconded by Brad Bruner.
- Camp Hebron cottage replacement plan under review: Representatives from Camp Hebron presented plans to demolish and replace multiple cottages. Engineer Tom Wilson requested a more detailed plan showing existing conditions, proposed demolitions, and final improvements before a land development waiver could be considered. Engineer and solicitor review fees will be charged to Camp Hebron.
- Nuisance letters to be sent — no formal enforcement: After resident Patricia Powley raised concerns about overgrown properties at the Cedar Shopping Center intersection and on Leiser Lane, the board agreed to send letters requesting that Cedar Shopping Centers and property owner Carl Snyder mow their respective properties.
- Alex Acres stormwater issue flagged: Melinda Warfel reported stormwater crossing Route 147 from an access road at Alex Acres. The solicitor requested the tax parcel number (29-007-077) to research the matter; no action taken yet.
- Secretary authorized mileage reimbursement: The board unanimously approved reimbursing Secretary Carolyn Nye for mileage when using her personal vehicle for township errands, citing rising fuel costs. Moved by Brad Bruner, seconded by Randy Paul.
- Friends of Fort Halifax events approved: Frank Wilmarth received board permission for the annual park festival in early May and a sycamore tree dedication ceremony at Fort Halifax.
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) · Carolyn Nye (Secretary) · Corey Stazewski (Roadmaster)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Supervisor Hoover motioned to approve the Interim Bills (passed 5-0), Supervisor Shultz motioned to authorize the Unpaid Bills (passed 5-0), and Supervisor Paul motioned to approve the July 9 regular board meeting minutes and the July 23 Special Meeting minutes (passed 5-0).
Chairman Bechtel noted the Township's income is still behind from a year ago. Secretary Carolyn Nye indicated there is an approximate $38,000 shortfall compared to last year. The Financial Report is on file for audit.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Fred Ford reported that Lanny Millette from Camp Hebron discussed adding five cottages, and the Planning Commission recommended a waiver for the land development. Gary Lenker submitted a subdivision plan to remove a road and add a lot line, which was accepted for review with a preliminary plan waiver recommended. The Solar portion of the SALDO will be addressed at the September meeting.
SOLICITOR REPORT
Bruce Warshawsky reported that the Fox and Masser nuisance hearing is set for August 22 at the District Justice office. The Hoffman property has been mowed but Dauphin County has a mosquito-breeding issue with the pool. On the Harner/Hoover property issue, Matt Williard conducted a site inspection after which pipes were removed and the area covered; Light-Heigel was contacted for a report. On Ebenezer Road drainage, the engineer determined the required detention facility has little or no impact on the property below; Supervisor Bruner motioned to accept the Solicitor's recommendation to forgo enforcement and draft a memorandum of understanding to Mr. Zelinski (passed 4-1).
ROADMASTER REPORT
Roadmaster Corey Stazewski reported that George Kutt examined the sycamore trees, indicated they will straighten as they grow, and administered fertilizer and vitamins. The Board agreed to list the fireproof file cabinets from the garage on Municibid after the Secretary moved audited files to better climate-controlled cabinets in the meeting room.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Supervisor Bruner motioned to authorize mileage reimbursement for Secretary Carolyn Nye when using her personal vehicle for township errands (passed 5-0). The Secretary also requested to purge records under the Municipal Records Manual retention regulations and forwarded a draft resolution to the Solicitor for review.
SEO REPORT
No SEO report was submitted. Supervisor Hoover questioned the lack of timely reports from Light-Heigel. The Secretary noted she had previously asked Matt Williard about providing monthly reports regardless of activity, and Supervisor Bruner agreed to contact Light-Heigel about the issue.
OLD BUSINESS
Roadmaster Corey Stazewski reported that brush trimming and pipe replacement are needed on Camp Hebron Road and asked about continuing flaggers and road crew. The Board agreed to prioritize grading Taylor School Road and Price Road. Supervisor Paul motioned to appropriate an additional $2,000 for seasonal laborers to cover an estimated ten more weeks of road grading work (passed 5-0).
Lester Weaver, Elvin Engel, and Lanny Millette presented a proposed plan showing areas where Camp Hebron wants to demolish and replace various cottages. Engineer Tom Wilson requested a plan showing the existing setting, proposed demolition, and final improvements in order to review and consider a waiver. The representatives were told that Engineer and Solicitor review fees will need to be paid.
The Board agreed to send a friendly letter to Cedar Shopping Centers asking them to mow the grass at the Commons at Triangle. A separate letter will be sent to Carl Snyder to have the property along Leisure Lane mowed. Patricia Powley had raised these concerns during public comment.
NEW BUSINESS
Stormwater is coming from the access road across Route 147 at Alex Acres. The Solicitor requested the address and tax parcel number to research a plan. Melinda Warfel provided the tax parcel number (29-007-077).
Jon Miller emailed complaining that the edge of his driveway was dug up by the Township grader. Roadmaster Corey Stazewski stated the driveway edge, which is on the township right-of-way, was accidentally hit and has been repaired, and will be cut out and paved over when paving begins. Supervisor Shultz will contact Mr. Miller to explain the situation.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.