Monthly Business Meeting
Summary
Halifax Township's Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on July 14, 2014, called to order at 7:03 p.m. and adjourning nearly two and a half hours later at 9:40 p.m. All five supervisors were present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The meeting was dominated by road maintenance and infrastructure decisions, but also featured a substantive debate over whether the township should pursue an amusement tax to address a chronic shortfall in road funding.
- Road repair contracts awarded: The board approved bids from Craig Morgan for repairs on North 5th Street ($4,950) and Kinsinger Road ($2,925), both unanimous 5-0.
- L9000 truck sold for $6,650: The board accepted a $6,650 bid for the township's surplus L9000 truck (5-0).
- Traffic study authorized: Engineer Tom Wilson was directed to conduct a $500 traffic study at the Maple Avenue and Sycamore intersection, which currently lacks stop signs (5-0).
- Future paving planned: Roadmaster Corey Stazewski was directed to seek a PennDOT proposal for 2014 paving on Lehman Road, Ebenezer Road, McClelland Road, and Parmer Drive (5-0).
- Amusement tax debate: Chairman Bechtel raised the township's mounting road funding crisis — roughly 32 miles of blacktop at ~$80,000/mile to resurface, with PennDOT Liquid Fuels providing only ~$135,000/year. He advocated for an amusement tax as less burdensome than a real estate tax increase. The Tobias family formally opposed the tax and suggested a gross receipts business tax instead. The board agreed to invite a Tobias family member to a future committee meeting for further discussion; no action was taken.
- Lane name approved 4-1: The board voted to officially name a private lane "Rode-Laudenslager Lane," with the Laudenslager family reimbursing the township for the sign — the only non-unanimous vote of the evening.
- Scout gazebo project approved: Christopher Hogan of Boy Scout Troop 85 presented a detailed plan to build a gazebo at the township park, with fundraising planned August–November 2014 and completion expected April 2015. The board approved unanimously (5-0).
- Erosion problem flagged at Quail Commons: Resident Norma Shearer reported that erosion at the Quail Commons stormwater detention pond is clogging drains. No formal action was taken, but the issue was noted for follow-up.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · 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
Supervisor Paul moved to approve interim bills (passed 5-0). Supervisor Schreffler moved to authorize payment of current unpaid bills (passed 5-0). Minutes were approved as written (passed 5-0). The Board reviewed the financial report with no comment.
planning-commission
Fred Ford reported on the July 7 meeting. The only business discussed was the Kristen Rode side lot issue; Kristen provided a sketch plan which the Board reviewed, discussing various issues she will take into consideration.
solicitor
Bruce Warshawsky reported on the DONCO-Sweigard matter: Judge Lewis granted Mr. Sweigard's intervention in the DONCO Appeal and vacated a prior dismissal order, with a hearing scheduled for August 22. A new motion by Mr. Sweigard seeks to dismiss the request to confirm the October agreement. A September 4 meeting was scheduled with DCNR and the PA Conservancy to discuss restrictions and a potential proposal regarding DCNR purchasing Borough property near the Ibberson Conservation Area and possibly transferring conservation rights currently imposed on the park. Supervisors Paul and McBurney will meet with the Solicitor to prepare.
roadmaster
The Board approved sale of the L9000 truck for $6,650 (passed 5-0). A V-plow for the crew cab was quoted at $5,608 via Co-Stars but tabled for the 2015 budget. Road repair bids from Craig Morgan were accepted: North 5th Street at $4,950 and Kinsinger Road at $2,925 (passed 5-0). A $500 traffic study by Tom Wilson was authorized for stop signs at Maple Avenue and Sycamore (passed 5-0). Supervisor Paul moved for Corey Stazewski to get a PennDOT proposal for paving Lehman Road, Ebenezer Road, McClelland Road, and Parmer Drive (passed 5-0). The Secretary was authorized to send letters to residents on Fifth Street regarding grass debris and tree trimming violations (passed 5-0).
park-committee
Supervisor McBurney provided the report. The Board approved reconstruction of the milkhouse door jam/lintel and whitewashing of the granary and corncrib (passed 5-0), as well as plowing and discing for completion of CSC (passed 5-0). Christopher Hogan presented his Troop 85 scout project to build a gazebo at the park, with fundraising August–November, material purchases December–March, and completion estimated April 2015; the project was approved 5-0. Park rules discussion was deferred to next month.
administrative
Chairman Bechtel announced a demonstration for non-heated crack sealing material at the Elizabethville Fire House on July 15 at 10:00 a.m. He also mentioned Dauphin County is discussing the regional police situation.
seo
The Board received a July 10, 2014 report from Matt Williard. Matt will prepare a response regarding the 1059 North River Road property. Charges were filed against Revelation Realty, the current property owner.
old-business
The Christopher Hogan scout project was noted as previously discussed under Park Committee. The Board approved naming a lane "Rode-Laudenslager Lane" (passed 4-1) and authorized the Township to order the sign with reimbursement by the Laudenslagers (passed 5-0). The Alternative Funding Committee discussed the amusement tax: the Solicitor reported it is collected via a tax collector with a 10% limit. Chairman Bechtel argued an amusement tax would be less burdensome than raising real estate taxes, noting the Township maintains about 32 miles of roads at approximately $80,000/mile to resurface against only $135,000 in Liquid Fuels funding. The Tobias family expressed opposition; the Board agreed to invite a Tobias family member to a future committee meeting. On the Tobias pond issue, the Tobias family will do their part and the Township will add two drains, with no formal permit needed. The Hornung stormwater/shed issue was tabled until next month. Supervisor McBurney reported on the audit meeting with Robb Wentzel: the Secretary will reconcile bills within 60 days, the Street Light Fund may move to an interest-bearing account, and the Board will explore meeting with the fire company on record-keeping issues and contacting the school about using the County tax system. The Quail Commons PILOT was discussed: the county endorsed 22.78% of full assessed value, the Township countered at 50%, and Supervisor Schreffler indicated Mr. Yoder may respond with a compromise. Allen Whitteker presented the Halifax Area School District plan, noting no additional school taxes are needed and impervious coverage decreased by 7,000 square feet; Tom Wilson stated the Township needs the Conservation District's review.
new-business
Chris Clark was not in attendance. Bonita Freeman requested approval to plant trees in the memorial garden at the park in memory of her deceased husband, using funds donated to the Friends of Ft. Halifax; the Board authorized Jim Eppley to stake out the area and present it for approval (passed 5-0). Chairman Bechtel raised concerns about unsupervised children playing on Camp Hebron Road, and the Secretary was instructed to send a letter to Camp Hebron expressing this safety concern.
adjournment
Supervisor Bruner moved to adjourn at 9:40 p.m., seconded by Supervisor Schreffler; motion carried 5-0.
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