Monthly Business Meeting

The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on October 14, 2013, with four of five supervisors present: Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman), Brad Bruner, Ken Hoover, and Randy Paul. Gary Shultz was absent. The meeting ran from 7:00 to 9:15 PM and was dominated by a contentious, long-running land development dispute over the Lenker Estates II and III subdivision, which required two executive sessions — one before the meeting and another called mid-discussion — and drew attorneys representing both the developer and an objecting neighbor.

• Lenker Estates II & III subdivision and developer's agreement approved (4-0): After extensive debate involving Attorney Silver (for the developer) and Attorney Misturak-Gingrich (representing neighbor Michael Sweigard, who raised stormwater concerns and alleged inadequate public review), the board approved both the revised subdivision plan and the revised Real Estate Developer's Agreement. Both approvals are contingent on engineer Tom Wilson's September 19, 2013 review items being satisfied before any final plans are recorded. A mid-discussion motion to enter executive session passed 3-1, an unusual split vote, before the final votes were taken. The board also voted to retain a recording of the night's proceedings.
• Nuisance ordinance adopted (4-0): After proper advertisement, the board formally accepted a new nuisance ordinance. Residents Fred Ford and Bonnie Anderson publicly praised the township's recent enforcement work, noting the Harn property has been fully refurbished and the Armour property cleaned up.
• Nuisance enforcement updates: Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky reported on multiple open cases, including a $561 judgment pending against Terry Harman for a demolished trailer at 1059 N. River Road, a sewage complaint hearing set for November 18 in the Harner/Hoover matter, and ongoing cleanup efforts at several other properties.
• Gallagher stormwater management plan approved (4-0): The board approved the plan as recommended by the Planning Commission; no Operation and Maintenance Agreement was required.
• Garage door repair motion withdrawn: Randy Paul moved to authorize repairs to the township garage doors but withdrew the motion after the board directed Roadmaster Corey Stazewski to obtain a second estimate.
• Overnight camping approved at township park (4-0): The board authorized overnight camping on a case-by-case basis with a required liability form, coordinated by Frank Wilmarth. The solicitor recommended a formal ordinance with enforcement provisions be considered. Mary Graves of Lykens Boy Scout Troop 85 also expressed interest in park use.
• Supplemental budget appropriations and $250 Lions Club donation approved (4-0): The board passed a resolution for supplemental appropriations to the 2013 budget and approved a $250 donation to the Twin Valleys Lions Club.
• Snow removal policy tabled until the November meeting; a fireworks ordinance was also added to the next meeting's agenda.