Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held 5:30 PM to 6:55 PM — litigation and personnel matters
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held their monthly business meeting on October 8, 2012, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Ken Hoover, Randy Paul, and Gary Shultz. The meeting followed a 90-minute executive session on litigation and personnel matters. Key actions included adopting a new tax ordinance, resolving several nuisance complaints, and receiving an update on significant archaeological discoveries at Ft. Halifax Park.
- Local Services Tax ordinance adopted (5-0): The board unanimously adopted the LST ordinance, which had been advertised on September 25, 2012, establishing the township's Local Services Tax framework.
- Nuisance complaint against Masser withdrawn (5-0): The board voted to drop a pending nuisance complaint after Ken Hoover noted the building in question is used for storage and Gary Shultz indicated the board found the situation satisfactory.
- Zelinski property memorandum of understanding authorized (5-0): The board authorized Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky to notify Mr. Zelinski's counsel that the township is prepared to execute a revised memorandum of understanding, provided it is submitted in writing.
- Stormwater management application accepted (5-0): A new stormwater management application was approved after discussion. Resident Flo Mallonee questioned why larger-acreage property owners are subject to the requirement; Solicitor Warshawsky noted a waiver can be requested.
- Park storage construction funded at up to $500 (5-0): The board approved up to $500 in materials to build additional township storage, reusing roofing materials salvaged from a park building demolition.
- Archaeological finds at Ft. Halifax Park: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel reported that Dane Snyder's dig has uncovered pottery and stoneware dating to English settlers around 1700 and Germans around 1600–1700, along with remnants of an unidentified structure. A full report is expected by November or December.
- Liquid fuel payment rules clarified: Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky advised that subcontractor payments up to $10,000 do not require advertising, but warned that splitting larger contracts into smaller ones to avoid the advertising threshold is unlawful.
- Sheetz plan accepted for review: The Planning Commission accepted the Sheetz site plan for review, and a Solar Ordinance was resubmitted to the commission for action next month.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Supervisor, Chairman) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Ken Hoover (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Gary Shultz (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Corey Stazewski (Roadmaster) · Carolyn Nye (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Supervisor Hoover motioned to approve interim bills (carried 5-0). Supervisor Shultz motioned to authorize payment of current bills (carried 5-0). Supervisor Paul motioned to approve the September 10, 2012 minutes as written (carried 5-0). Supervisor Hoover motioned to approve the September financial report (carried 5-0).
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky provided the report in the absence of Fred Ford. The Sheetz plan was accepted for review, stormwater application was discussed, and the Solar Ordinance was resubmitted to the Planning Commission for action next month.
ENGINEER REPORT
Supervisor Hoover inquired about the Galli Road stormwater issue. Solicitor Warshawsky stated a survey is needed on the new easement area, and Roadmaster Corey Stazewski will contact the Conservation District about permitting requirements.
SOLICITOR REPORT
Several matters were addressed: the Harman trailer remains and will be monitored; a motion to withdraw the Masser nuisance complaint carried 5-0; the Carl Snyder nuisance issue has been satisfied; no further action on Cedar Halifax Property. For Ebenezer Road drainage, Supervisor Paul and Tom Wilson made a site visit and suggested Mr. Wells cut one and a half feet off the bank. A motion to authorize communication with Mr. Zelinski's counsel regarding execution of a revised memorandum of understanding carried 5-0. A letter was sent to the Alex Acres owner outlining issues. The Solicitor clarified liquid fuel subcontractor payment rules, noting payments up to $10,000 do not require advertising but splitting contracts to avoid advertising is unlawful.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Roadmaster Corey Stazewski reported that roofing materials from the park building demolition could be reused for an additional Township storage area. Supervisor Paul motioned to budget up to $500 in materials for the storage area construction (carried 5-0). A Caterpillar Equipment and Safety Workshop is scheduled for October 16, to be attended by Corey Stazewski, Raymond, and Supervisor Shultz.
OLD BUSINESS
The LST ordinance was advertised on September 25, 2012. Supervisor Shultz motioned to adopt the ordinance, seconded by Supervisor Bruner; motion carried 5-0.
Solicitor Warshawsky will work on revisions to the employee manual and bring the updated version back to the Board.
Chairman Bechtel reported that Dane Snyder indicated pottery and stoneware dating to the English around 1700 and the Germans around 1600-1700 were found, along with remnants of an unidentified structure. A full report of findings is expected in November or December, and Dane Snyder will provide a contract to the Township.
Chairman Bechtel and Co-Chairman Bruner attended the HARA meeting and asked HARA to reassess their budget. Larry Rank was invited to the budget meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Keystone Collections Group sent a letter requesting the Township provide information on past tax collection agencies. Under Act 32, Keystone can begin tax recovery on delinquent earned income tax.
Supervisor Bruner noted that some townships do not use this process. Flo Mallonee questioned why larger-acreage property owners are subject to the requirement; Solicitor Warshawsky indicated a waiver can be requested. Supervisor Paul motioned to accept the Storm Water Management Application (carried 5-0).
The $250 payment to the Twin Valley Lions Club is budgeted for 2012 and will be made.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.