Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held 6:15 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. — litigation and employee issues
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on May 12, 2014, called to order at 7:07 p.m. by Chairman Kenneth Bechtel. All five supervisors were present: Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The board had met in executive session beforehand (6:15–6:50 p.m.) on litigation and employee matters. The nearly three-hour meeting covered infrastructure spending, land development, emergency communications, and a new fireworks ordinance, with activity at Fort Halifax Park a recurring theme.
- Truck purchase approved ($16,721.05): The board unanimously approved payment for a new used truck from the Capital Improvement Fund after Chairman Kenneth Bechtel explained the steps taken to acquire it.
- Fireworks ordinance adopted ($45 permit fee): A new fireworks ordinance was passed unanimously. Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky will draft the permit application; discussion included questions about permitting the transport of fireworks.
- Emergency radio transfer approved: Emergency Management Coordinator Charles Bisking explained the county's purchase of new public safety radios and the process for transferring ownership to municipalities. The board approved the purchase and transfer 5–0.
- Hoover Stormwater Management Plan approved: The board granted a waiver on volume control requirements under Section 508.11 and approved the full stormwater plan, both unanimously, after all engineer comments were addressed.
- Drainage complaint and MOU sent to Senator Teplitz: Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky detailed the history of the Lynn Wells complaint involving a retention basin on property now owned by the Zelinskis. The township engineer determined the originally planned basin would not have handled the water volume regardless. The board voted to send a recorded Memorandum of Understanding to Senator Teplitz and offer follow-up from the three officials involved.
- Assistant Roadmaster recruitment underway: A committee of Roadmaster Corey Stazewski and Supervisors Randy Paul and Brad Bruner will finalize the job description, advertise the position, and select interview candidates.
- Fort Halifax archaeological dig and non-profit status: Dane Snyder reported on the dig's progress. Frank Wilmarth announced the Friends of Ft. Halifax received IRS non-profit approval and donated $3,000 toward the excavation.
- Park rules and enforcement gap flagged: Secretary Carolyn Nye reported alcohol consumption at the park before a festival. Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky noted the township has rules but no enforcement mechanism — an ordinance would be needed. Park rules were tabled to the June meeting.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Adam Davis (Engineer (sitting in for Tom Wilson)) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Corey Stazewski (Roadmaster) · Carolyn Nye (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Interim bills were approved 5-0. A payment of $16,721.05 for a new used truck was approved from the Capital Improvement Fund 5-0. Current bills were authorized for payment 5-0. Minutes were approved as written 5-0. The financial report was reviewed with no comments.
EMC REPORT
Emergency Management Coordinator Charles Bisking explained that the County purchased new radios and outlined the process to transfer ownership to the municipalities where the radios are deployed. The Board approved the purchase and transfer of the radios 5-0.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Flo Mallonee reported on the May 5, 2014 Planning Commission meeting. The Paulvir plan was accepted for review pending a $2,000 escrow deposit. A Quail Commons subdivision plan was accepted for review regarding a club house built over two approved lots in the Lenker Development. The Hoover Storm Water Management Plan was approved 5-0 after all engineer comments were addressed, along with a waiver on volume control requirements per Section 508.11. The Reed Subdivision Plan was deferred to next month with a $1,500 escrow still outstanding.
ENGINEER REPORT
Adam Davis read the April 30, 2014 engineer report on behalf of Tom Wilson. Emergency work was completed on the Lehman Road Project to restore erosion damage and protect drivers. DEP questioned the size of rocks used in the restoration, and Adam Davis will follow up with Tom Wilson on a permit issue DEP is apparently requiring.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky provided history on the Lynn Wells complaint regarding a retention basin on property now owned by the Zelinskis. The Township Engineer determined the originally planned basin would not have handled the water volume regardless. A Memorandum of Understanding was executed by the Board and the Zelinskis and recorded at the Recorder of Deeds. The Board authorized sending a copy of the MOU to Senator Teplitz 5-0. The assistant roadmaster replacement committee (Roadmaster Corey Stazewski, Supervisors Paul and Bruner) will finalize the job description for advertising and review applications.
PARK COMMITTEE
Supervisor McBurney requested more time to review proposals from the Friends of Ft. Halifax. Secretary Carolyn Nye reported alcohol consumption at the park the Friday before a Saturday festival. Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky noted that while rules exist, there is no enforcement mechanism; an ordinance would be needed for enforcement once rules are finalized.
ADMINISTRATIVE
The Patriot Energy electric contract will terminate in July. Supervisors Bruner and Schreffler will research other suppliers' rates and report at the next board meeting. The secretary will mail recent bills to the supervisors for reference.
OLD BUSINESS
The Ern Tobias pond issue was discussed regarding water flowing onto the township road and the Tobias field; Ern Tobias will contact an engineer for cost estimates. Park rules were tabled for the June meeting. Ern Tobias will propose an idea for portable signs and submit it to the Solicitor for review. A Fireworks Ordinance was adopted 5-0 with a $45 permit fee, and the Solicitor will draft an application. The Board reviewed insurance coverage for May 2014–2015, deciding to drop earthquake coverage, maintain current dump truck coverage until sold, not raise umbrella coverage, and continue pool and Veterans Park building liability; the Solicitor will draft a letter to HARA regarding the Township's insurance support.
NEW BUSINESS
The Charles Paulvir escrow of $2,000 is required to cover engineer review costs for the current subdivision plan. The Solicitor and secretary need to reconstruct fees for a claim against a bankruptcy related to a 2012 Subdivision/Land Development Plan. A rocket launch at Ft. Halifax Park on August 2, 2014 was approved 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Bruner made a motion to adjourn at 10:07 p.m., seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, motion carried 5-0.
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