Monthly Business Meeting
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on June 9, 2014, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The meeting ran over two hours and was dominated by land development business, with the board acting on three subdivision plans and a school district development project, alongside park improvements and several ongoing legal and infrastructure matters.
- Paulvir Subdivision approved: The board granted waivers for preliminary plan procedure, pavement widening, curbing, and sidewalk requirements, then approved the subdivision plan contingent on satisfying conditions in Engineer Tom Wilson's June 2 review memo.
- Quail Commons Subdivision approved: Plan approved contingent on two items from Wilson's May 21 review memo. A separate tax issue involving the PA Housing Authority's restrictions and covenants on the property was referred to a July 14 executive session for further discussion.
- Halifax Area School District land development approved: Multiple technical waivers granted and the plan approved with a notable condition: the township will not assume responsibility for, and must be indemnified against, any stormwater management facilities located within PennDOT right-of-way.
- Park improvements and barn concerns: The board approved construction of a new South River Trail, temporary equipment storage, a 50-amp electrical box, and new directional signage along Route 147. Scott McBurney reported significant beetle damage to the park barn and suggested soliciting demolition proposals. Multiple supervisors cited safety hazards, and Kenneth Bechtel said any available funds would be better spent on a township equipment storage building. The barn issue was tabled for future discussion.
- 36-month energy contract approved: Accepted a fixed-rate electricity contract with Patriot Energy at $0.09224 per kWh for three years.
- 1992 Ford truck authorized for sale: Roadmaster Corey Stazewski authorized to list the surplus township truck on the Municibid online auction platform.
- PennDOT sidewalk grant pursuit: The board discussed co-sponsoring a PennDOT sidewalk grant with the Borough of Halifax for sidewalks along Route 147, appointing Brad Bruner and Randy Paul to a Sidewalk Committee to coordinate the effort. Engineer fees are not covered by the grant.
- Public comments: Mike Snody asked about Middle Road — Chairman Bechtel said county paperwork is filed but grant money won't be released until next year. Chris Hogan of Boy Scout Troop 285 presented a proposal to build a gazebo at Fort Halifax; the board asked him to return with detailed plans. The SEO reported filing charges against the owner of 1059 North River Road.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Supervisor, Chairman) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Tom Wilson (Engineer) · Corey Stazewski (Roadmaster) · Carolyn Nye (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Supervisor Paul motioned to approve Interim Bills (passed 5-0), authorize Current Unpaid Bills (passed 5-0), and approve the minutes as written (passed 5-0). The Board had no questions or comments on the Financial Report.
AUDITOR REPORT
Robb Wentzel presented the auditor's report regarding the 2013 financial records.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Chairperson Flo Mallone reported on the June 2 Planning Commission meeting, including information provided to Christen Rode about acquiring acreage from a neighbor. The Board approved the Reed Subdivision extension to August 12 (5-0), Paulvir Subdivision Plan waivers and plan contingent on Tom Wilson's June 2 review memo (both 5-0), and the Quail Commons Subdivision Plan contingent on Wilson's May 21 review memo (5-0). The Board also approved waivers and the Halifax Area School District Land Development Plan contingent on Wilson's May 30 review memo, including a condition that the Township not assume responsibility for stormwater facilities in the PennDOT right-of-way (both 5-0). Flo Mallone commended the Engineer and Solicitor on their diligence.
ENGINEER REPORT
Tom Wilson read his engineer report. No action was taken.
SOLICITOR REPORT
Bruce Warshawsky provided an update on DONCO Litigation, noting a hearing scheduled for August 22 and plans to review files at the township office. He presented the Fireworks Display Permit and Contract, clarifying the Township is the contracting party and the Fire Department is the sponsor, with the option to add the Fire Company as an additional contracting entity. Regarding the Quail Commons tax issue, the Solicitor received a document from the PA Housing Authority on restrictions and covenants and requested time to review before negotiations; an executive session was scheduled for July 14.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Corey Stazewski's report was provided prior to the meeting. He noted that residents raised concerns about storage sheds at Hornung's possibly violating the Township's stormwater plan. The Solicitor suggested Corey measure the lot and bring findings to the next meeting for discussion.
PARK COMMITTEE
Supervisor McBurney reported significant beetle damage to the barn and suggested getting demolition proposals if no repairs are planned. The Board approved construction of the new South River Trail, temporary storage of Bob Keefer's skidsteer and Frank's rototiller, and installation of a 50 amp box (5-0). The Board declined using the township roller for rough terrain at the park but agreed to use the skid loader to level the area. Supervisors expressed concern about barn safety hazards and costs, tabling the repair issue. Signage along Rte. 147 was approved (5-0).
ADMINISTRATIVE
The Board received a letter from state archaeologist Joe Baker regarding Amanda Rasmussen's proposal to conduct additional research at Ft. Halifax for her Master's Thesis at Indiana University of PA. Frank Wilmarth will contact local archaeologist Dane Snyder for more information on the project.
SEO REPORT
The SEO is filing charges against the owner of 1059 North River Road.
OLD BUSINESS
The Tobias Pond outlet structure repair was discussed; the Solicitor recommended an easement agreement, and he and the Engineer will do a site visit. The Board approved a 36-month electric contract with Patriot Energy at a fixed rate of $0.09224/kWh (5-0), tabled Park Rules to next month (5-0), and authorized the Roadmaster to advertise the 1992 Ford truck on Municibid (5-0). Regarding the Konchar property, the Solicitor noted the litigation remains unsettled and the Township is awaiting Mr. Konchar's deed to correct the Dauphin County tax parcel map.
NEW BUSINESS
The Solicitor determined no Township participation is needed in the Clinton Funk hearing and will reply to legislative inquiries. Supervisor Bruner reported on a HARA meeting regarding Township-paid insurance; Supervisors Bruner and McBurney were appointed to negotiate a contract. The Board discussed co-sponsoring a PennDOT sidewalk grant with the Borough for sidewalks along Rte. 147; Supervisors Bruner and Paul were appointed to the Sidewalk Committee. Engineer fees are not included in the grant.
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Paul motioned to adjourn at 9:25 p.m., seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, passed 5-0.
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