Monthly Business Meeting

Four bids were received: Meckleys ($126,067.40), Fulkroad & Sons ($123,906.00), Eastern Industries ($129,298.80), and Handwerk ($140,426.80). After Ken Hoover confirmed with Roadmaster Dale Shoop that Fulkroad & Sons does quality work, the board unanimously awarded the bid to Fulkroad & Sons, contingent upon review by Solicitor Steve Dzuranin and Dale Shoop.

The board unanimously approved the paid interim bills and unpaid current bills as presented, with Ken Hoover asking where Fort Halifax bills would be paid from (Fort Halifax Park checking account). The July 13, 2009 business meeting minutes were unanimously approved, and the July Financial Report was accepted.

The Planning Commission submitted a written report. Donna Rode asked for clarification on what was approved last month; Solicitor Steve Dzuranin said the Planning Commission was to complete a recommended scope of work for a wind energy ordinance. Donna Rode relayed Janet Greene's recommendation to rescind the motion due to expected costs and suggested any future energy ordinances include all alternate energy types. Fred Ford noted that personal windmills could be a larger issue than commercial ones.

Engineer Justin Kuhn reviewed the written report. Norma Shearer relayed Tom Wilson's request for items to bring to the HATS meeting on September 10, 2009, suggesting the Route 147/225 split at Fourth and Market Streets in Halifax Borough. Discussion covered Senator Piccola's office involvement, school flashing lights contributing to traffic backup, and costs spent reviewing Donco's HOP at Route 147/225.

The board unanimously accepted the Deed of Dedication from the Halifax Area Ambulance and Rescue Association (HAARA), contingent upon Solicitor Steve Dzuranin's review. The Township will advertise to hold a hearing on the Mountain Road Vehicle Weight Restriction Ordinance on September 14, 2009.

Several items were addressed: the Fellowship Drive Resolution was prepared and forwarded for execution; a complaint on Pawnee Lane will receive a letter response; the board unanimously approved sending the Harn property owner a 30-day cleanup notice with the Township to clean and bill the owner if no action is taken. Building permits were unanimously approved for Kolish (shed) and Foerster (30x40 storage shed). The board unanimously approved purchasing a used 2008 Woods BW 180-3 mower from Kieffer Rentals for $8,800, paid from park funds.

The meeting schedule was posted for five municipalities from August through December 2009, with citizen meetings on 9/15/09 and 9/29/09. Norma Shearer requested approval to mail citizen meeting postcard notices at an estimated cost of $373 for postage and $100 for printing. The motion carried with all in favor except Ken Hoover, who was opposed.

Fort Halifax Park electric work is waiting on Dave Biting; Linda Ruff will follow up. Barn stabilization work is complete and was reported to look very good by Jim Facinelli. The board unanimously approved a $1,000 general fund contribution to the Twin Valleys Conservation Project, which received $7,000 less than requested in grant funding and plans to clean up the Price Road area near a Powell's Creek tributary. Rudi Erb said TVCP would return the contribution if Linda Ruff obtains other grant funds.

Jim Tenaglia discussed his proposed lot add-on subdivision, seeking assurance that waiver requests would be honored before incurring costs; supervisors expressed no desire to make unreasonable demands, and Solicitor Steve Dzuranin noted waivers are normally granted. The board unanimously voted to advertise the Secretary position and appointed Norma Shearer and Linda Ruff to oversee the hiring process.

Norma Shearer reported the Dauphin County Music Festival drew over 1,000 attendees and suggested donating to the Fire Department for its efforts, but no action was taken. The board unanimously approved sending a letter to PA State Police expressing concern over response times after a prowler incident took PSP one hour and thirty-nine minutes to respond, with only two troopers on duty in Upper Dauphin County. Friends of Fort Halifax announced a Mr. Sticky fundraiser on 9/11/09.