Monthly Business Meeting
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on January 14, 2013, convening at 7:00 PM and running nearly four hours until 10:43 PM. All five supervisors were present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Ken Hoover, Randy Paul, and Gary Shultz. The lengthy session covered a conditional approval for a new Sheetz development, competing presentations from three ambulance service providers, a contested tax collector compensation vote, and several administrative reforms centralizing permit processes through the township office.
Sheetz preliminary plan conditionally approved (5-0): The board granted conditional approval for a Sheetz facility near Route 147, requiring the developer to resolve outstanding traffic concerns — particularly at the signalized intersection and Rte. 147 ingress/egress — within 12 months. Sheetz agreed to explore adding a left-turn lane at the light to Parmer Drive.
Tax collector compensation set at 4% (4-1): In the only non-unanimous vote of the evening, the board approved paying the tax collector 4% on township real estate, fire, per capita, and light taxes collected.
Ambulance service presentations but no changes made: Representatives from Med X, Medic 6, and HAARA each presented to the board. Med X proposed stationing advanced life support in the township, while HAARA's Jack Geyer warned another unit could undermine their services. Gary Shultz emphasized that "time is life" should be the primary consideration. Kenneth Bechtel proposed forming a committee to gather information from all providers; no change in service arrangements was made.
Chad Lebo nuisance complaint dismissed (5-0): Chad Lebo addressed the board directly, explaining that the alleged junk was on an adjacent property at 510 Middle Road — not his own at 550 Middle Road — and that the nuisance letter had been sent to the wrong address. Vehicles had already been removed. The board found no violation and closed the matter.
Building permit fee set at $45 (5-0): A resolution established a $45 application fee for building permits. The solicitor noted the underlying building permit ordinance itself needs broader revision.
Nuisance letter directed to Wells Fargo (5-0): Resident Todd Etzweiler reported stormwater problems caused by a pipe under a neighboring property's driveway and a downspout draining onto his land, noting the neighbor built a garage without a permit. The board directed a nuisance letter to Wells Fargo, the property owner of record.
Permit processes centralized through township office (5-0): The board approved changes routing both stormwater management applications and sewage enforcement officer permit applications through the township office, giving the township more upfront control over payments and documentation.
HARA contract withdrawal under discussion: Brad Bruner and Randy Paul volunteered to serve on a committee with Halifax Borough and Reed Township to review HARA's budget before any final decision on withdrawing from the contract.
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) and authorize payment of unpaid bills (passed 5-0). Supervisor Paul motioned to approve the December 10, 2012 minutes (passed 5-0). The Board reviewed the Financial Report with no comments; it is on file for auditing.
EMC REPORT
Charles Bisking, Township EMC, reported on how emergency calls are taken and assigned regarding Medic 6 and HAARA.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Flo Mallonee reported on the January 8, 2013 PC meeting. Officers appointed: Flo Mallonee as Chairman, Fred Ford as Vice Chairman, Bob Artman as Secretary. The Board approved preliminary plan approval for Sheetz conditioned upon Tom Wilson's review items and resolution of traffic issues within 12 months (passed 5-0). The Piltz/Tobias subdivision plan waivers and plan were approved conditionally (both passed 5-0). The PC recommended the Township draft an agreement for the Paulvir/Gotshall Plan requiring the Gotshalls to be responsible for lot improvements at time of development.
SOLICITOR REPORT
Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky reported on the Jorich matter, noting a meeting with Jorich's engineer who will provide As-Builts for $2,500; the Township will draw on the LOC after Tom Wilson's review. Extensions were granted to the bank and Powells, Rogers, and Speaks in the UDITO matter, with litigation moving forward. The Solicitor will continue work on the nuisance ordinance.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Roadmaster Corey Stazewski discussed purchasing a roller and tar buggy; Supervisor Paul asked him to inspect the roller and report back. The Board discussed buildings without permits, directing Corey to investigate complaints and report to the Board, while the Solicitor noted the building permit ordinance needs revision. Corey will arrange a site visit with Mike Snody regarding a stormwater issue. A pre-nuisance letter was authorized for the Lebo complaint (passed 5-0). On Funk Road, Corey reported the issue is a private road matter between Kiner and the Funks; the Solicitor was authorized to draft a letter of explanation (passed 5-0).
OLD BUSINESS
Chad Lebo provided a timeline and explanation for the materials reported by Mike Snody as a nuisance, noting the property at 510 Middle Road is not owned by him and the letter was sent to the wrong address. The cars had already been removed. Supervisor Shultz motioned that the Board is satisfied with Chad's explanation, finding no violation and no further pursuit of the complaint (passed 5-0).
Charles Miller of Med X presented a proposal for advanced life support (ALS) to be housed in Halifax Township, including time and distance comparisons for emergency calls. John Logan of Medic 6 reviewed their services and statistics. Sharon Young of HAARA reviewed billing procedures and revenues; Jack Geyer expressed concern that another medic unit might undermine HAARA. Supervisor Shultz emphasized that "time is life" should be the main focus. Chairman Bechtel suggested forming a committee to discuss with all local ambulance providers; no changes in providers were made at this time.
Supervisor Paul reported on the terrain, noting water runoff starts at the trailer park and runs downhill causing problems. He suggested installing a culvert or rock trench to reduce water concentration. The Solicitor stated the condition is dangerous to the roadway. The Board tabled the discussion.
The Solicitor drafted a resolution establishing a $45.00 fee for building permit applications. Supervisor Bruner motioned to suspend the reading of the resolution (passed 5-0) and then to approve the resolution (passed 5-0).
Supervisor Paul motioned to pay the Tax Collector 4% on Township real estate, fire, per capita, and light tax collected, seconded by Supervisor Hoover (passed 4-1).
Discussion was held regarding the Township's letter to HARA about withdrawing from their contract. Supervisors Bruner and Paul volunteered to serve on a committee with Halifax Borough and Reed Township to discuss HARA's budget before meeting with HARA.
Supervisor Bruner motioned to approve the Solicitor's change in language for the Act 167 SWM application (passed 5-0). A second motion established that Storm Water Management Applications should come to the Township office for disbursement to the Engineer and Board (passed 5-0).
The Board discussed changing the SEO process so that applicants come to the Township office to pay fees and obtain permit applications, giving the Township more upfront control over payments and documentation. Supervisor Bruner motioned to change the procedure (passed 5-0).
NEW BUSINESS
Todd Etzweiler reported a stormwater problem caused by a pipe installed under a neighboring property's driveway and a neighbor's downspout draining onto his property. He noted the neighbor built a garage without a building permit. Supervisor Bruner motioned to have the secretary send a friendly nuisance letter to Wells Fargo, owner of one of the properties (passed 5-0).
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.