Workshop Meeting

7:10 p.m. – 8:24 p.m. 7 present 1 motions

Summary

The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held a workshop meeting on September 16, 2013, dedicated to reviewing a proposed nuisance and noise ordinance. Chairman Kenneth Bechtel presided with Supervisors Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, and Gary Shultz present; Supervisor Ken Hoover was absent. The ordinance, connected in part to operations at Armstrong Winery, drew public criticism for its complexity, and the board ultimately directed the solicitor to simplify and redraft it.

  • Nuisance/noise ordinance sent back for redrafting (approved 4-0): After discussion with Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky and residents, the board agreed the draft needed significant changes. Brad Bruner moved to advertise the redrafted ordinance once received from the solicitor and approved by the board; passed unanimously. Jake Gruver of Armstrong Winery offered to cover the solicitor's costs for researching Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board regulations relevant to the ordinance.
  • Residents urged simplicity: All three public commenters opposed the draft as written. Jake Gruver asked that it be simplified and follow LCB language. Donna Rode called it too complex and ambiguous, warning it would generate a flood of complaints. Florence McGuire echoed that concern.
  • Alley parking behind the township building: The board discussed posting "no parking" signs in the alley but held off, unsure of the alley's width. Roadmaster Corey Stazewski was asked to speak with the resident whose parking blocks truck access to the garage, with further action to follow only if that conversation doesn't resolve the issue.

Who was there

Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Gary Shultz (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Corey Stazewski (Roadmaster) · Carolyn Nye (Secretary)

Public comments

Jake Gruver — Asks that the ordinance be kept simple, eliminate some sections, and follow some of the LCB's language.
Donna Rode — Asks that common sense be used. States the ordinance is too complex, feels it will create many complaints, and is too ambiguous.
Florence McGuire — Feels the ordinance will create many more complaints.

Meeting business

PURPOSE OF MEETING

Nuisance/Noise Ordinance

The Board reviewed the nuisance/noise ordinance with recommendations from Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky and the public. Public commenters Jake Gruver, Donna Rode, and Florence McGuire urged simplicity and expressed concerns about complexity and potential complaints. The Board directed the Solicitor to re-draft the ordinance with agreed-upon changes; Supervisor Bruner motioned to advertise the re-drafted ordinance upon receipt and approval, passing 4-0. Jake Gruver of Armstrong Winery offered to pay for the Solicitor's research costs related to Liquor Control Board regulations.

ordinances
4-0 Advertise the re-drafted ordinance upon receipt from the Solicitor and after review and approval by the Board.
Moved by Brad Bruner

OTHER BUSINESS

Alley Parking Behind Township Building

The Board discussed marking the alley behind the Township building with "no parking" signs but was unsure of the alley's width. Roadmaster Corey Stazewski was instructed to speak with the resident about not parking where it interferes with removing trucks from the garage area, with the Board to consider a different approach if that does not resolve the issue. The Solicitor was directed to suspend research on this matter for now.

infrastructureproperty

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