Monthly Business Meeting
Summary
Halifax Township's Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on February 10, 2014, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The nearly two-hour session covered road funding, Fort Halifax park development, ongoing nuisance and legal matters, and early planning for a community Fourth of July celebration. Nearly every vote was unanimous, with one notable exception on a park tree-planting dispute.
- $65,000 earmarked for Keiffer Road — The board voted unanimously to set aside non-committed funds in a dedicated sub-account for a potential future road project on Keiffer Road.
- Fort Halifax park initiatives approved — A package of items passed 5-0, including a pollinator garden, archaeology initiatives, an IUP student thesis project, an SRTA float trip landing on October 4, path clearing, and authorization to investigate possible grants for property improvements (with the stipulation that no grant applications be submitted without board approval).
- Sapling placement approved 3-1 with 1 abstention — The only divided vote of the night involved approving the location of saplings already planted by the Friends of Fort Halifax. The board used the discussion to establish that such actions require prior board approval going forward.
- Cement block removal ordered — The board voted 5-0 to send a formal letter to Mr. Bordner demanding he remove a cement block placed in the township right-of-way, which the roadmaster flagged as a potential hazard. Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky will review the draft letter before it is sent.
- Ken Hoover appointed to Sewer and Water Authority — Approved 5-0 to fill the seat vacated by Bob Artman for the remainder of 2014.
- Fireworks celebration proposed — Scott Attivio requested the township coordinate a Fourth of July fireworks event for area residents. Steve Schreffler and Brad Bruner will lead an outreach committee to work with Halifax Borough and the Fire Company, while the solicitor noted a fireworks ordinance should still move forward independently.
- Hidden driveway sign request dropped — A landowner who wanted a hidden driveway sign declined to pay for the PennDOT-required traffic study, so the board decided not to pursue the matter.
- Late bill flagged as budget concern — While approving current bills including litigation costs related to the Upper Dauphin Income Tax Office case, Brad Bruner questioned a late-submitted bill from A to Z, and Chairman Kenneth Bechtel noted it could impact the 2014 budget.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Corey Stazewski (Roadmaster) · Carolyn Nye (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Interim bills were approved 5-0. Current unpaid bills were approved 5-0, including a bill from Kegal, Kelin and Lord, LLP for Upper Dauphin Income Tax Office litigation; Supervisor Bruner questioned a late A to Z bill, and Chairman Bechtel noted it could impact the 2014 budget. Minutes from January 6 and January 13, 2014 were each approved 5-0. The financial report was reviewed with no comments.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Flo Mallonee reported that the February 3 meeting was cancelled due to bad weather. The Halifax High School Land Development Plan will not be delayed by the cancellation. The Tobias Park sketch plan will be on the March agenda.
ENGINEER REPORT
Engineer Tom Wilson was absent; his report was previously provided. Regarding the Matamoras Subdivision Plan, the plan approved by the Board differs from what was built. Solicitor Warshawsky stated it could not be recorded as drafted due to Dauphin County requirements, and he will draft a Memorandum of Understanding for all landowners to sign, a method approved by the recorder's office.
SOLICITOR REPORT
Solicitor Warshawsky reported on several matters. On UDITO, a judge ordered Powells, Rogers, and Speaks to turn over all records. The nuisance at 220 North Second Street will be monitored further due to weather. A judgment was entered against Terry Harman for a nuisance issue, and a letter was sent to new owner Revelation Reality, LLC regarding a potential septic tank violation. On the signal at Routes 147/225, a productive meeting was held with Rodney Schlegal and his attorney; the township will await word from PennDOT or Sheetz.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Cleanup day was set for May 9-10 (approved 5-0). The Board agreed to continue plowing the PA Fish and Game Commission river access north of Halifax since the Fire Company uses it for water access. Supervisors Paul and Bruner plus Roadmaster Stazewski were appointed to a hiring committee. Regarding the Bordner nuisance, a motion passed 5-0 to send a letter requesting removal of a cement block placed in the township right-of-way. Supervisor Bruner will speak with Jeff Enders about plowing the Fire Company parking lot.
PARK COMMITTEE
Supervisor McBurney presented the park committee report. The Board approved 5-0 several items including a Pollinator Garden, Park Archeology Initiatives, SRTA Float Trip Landing on October 4, 2014, IUP Student Thesis, clearing park paths, and permission to investigate possible grants. A motion to approve the location of saplings placed by The Friends of Fort Halifax passed 3-1 with 1 abstention; the Board noted such actions need prior approval. The Board discussed weed/toxic plant spraying and agreed Roadmaster Stazewski should be certified; the Secretary will consult the insurance agent about volunteer liability. Frank Wilmarth presented a framed enlargement of the park Master Site Plan.
OLD BUSINESS
The township has not received anything from Sheetz regarding tree placement for their tree removal application. A motion passed 5-0 to earmark $65,000 in non-committed funds in a sub account for the potential Keiffer Road project. The Board decided not to pursue the hidden driveway sign issue because the requesting landowner does not want to pay for the required PennDOT traffic study. Ken Hoover was appointed 5-0 to replace Bob Artman on the Sewer and Water Authority for the remainder of the year.
NEW BUSINESS
Scott Attivio requested the township coordinate a 4th of July fireworks celebration; Supervisors Schreffler and Bruner will serve on a committee to reach out to Jeff Enders of Halifax Borough and Fire Company, and the Solicitor stated the Firework Ordinance should still move forward. The Board discussed individuals throwing snow onto the township right-of-way; Roadmaster Stazewski will check with PSATS on restrictions. The Secretary will consult with Tom Troutman about liability insurance related to the new Tax Collector using the township building. Donna Rode asked about the Quail Commons Pilot Project; the Board had no information and believed the County would coordinate.
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Bruner moved to adjourn at 8:54 p.m., seconded by Supervisor Paul; motion carried 5-0.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.